What is a loo table used for?

These tables were originally created for the nineteenth-century card game called loo, requiring a spacious surface that could accommodate players gathered around the centre of a room. Today, buyers use them as grand dining tables, large coffee tables, or prominent entrance hall pieces that double as sculptural furniture when tilted upright.

How do I tilt the top?

The mechanism relies on a pivoting block beneath the surface held in place by a brass catch or sliding bolt. Releasing this catch allows the heavy wooden top to swing smoothly into a vertical position for storage. Support the weight of the top with both hands while operating the catch to prevent any sudden movement or strain on the pivot.

Are these tables solid wood?

Most examples combine solid timber frames and pedestals with finely figured wood veneers applied to the broad surfaces of the top. This technique allowed cabinet makers to display striking grain patterns like burr walnut without risking the warping common in large solid planks. The base structures and turned columns are typically carved from heavy native or exotic hardwoods to provide adequate stability.

How do I tell Regency from Victorian?

Regency pieces often display restrained classical lines, geometric brass inlay, and rosewood surfaces reflecting early nineteenth-century neoclassical tastes. Victorian examples tend towards heavier proportions, elaborate marquetry, and rich burr walnut finishes with ornate carved pedestals. Examining the construction methods, secondary timbers, and decorative motifs helps clarify the specific period of manufacture.