How do I fold an octagonal table?

Many octagonal occasional tables feature a clever interlocking wooden lattice base that collapses flat once the top is lifted off. The sides fold inward on integrated hinges, allowing the entire frame to be stored compactly against a wall. Take care when dismantling these folding frames to support the carved hinges evenly. Align the joints correctly before lowering the tabletop back onto the base.

What woods were used for these tables?

Carpenters relied on durable tropical hardwoods including teak, padauk, rosewood, and ebony. These dense timbers resisted warping in humid climates and provided a stable canvas for deep carving. Darker woods like ebony and rosewood often served specific decorative functions, while teak and padauk formed the robust structural frames for campaign and side tables.

How do I clean brass inlaid surfaces?

Dust the surface regularly with a soft, dry brush to prevent dirt from accumulating inside the carved recesses and brass channels. Avoid liquid polishes that can seep into the surrounding wood grain and stain the timber. If the brass requires brightening, apply a specialised metal cleaner very sparingly with a cotton bud directly to the metal, keeping it away from the wood entirely.

Where were these tables made?

Production centred on major crafting hubs across the Indian subcontinent and Burma, with specific regions developing distinct signatures. Hoshiarpur was renowned for intricate inlay and geometric carving, while Bombay favoured dense teak and circular tilt-top designs. Workshop traditions also extended to Ceylon, where craftsmen applied local carving motifs to occasional and centre tables for the colonial market.

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Colonial Indian Tea Table

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A colonial indian tea table brings intricate craftsmanship and dense tropical timbers straight from nineteenth-century export workshops into a modern room.