What is a buffet server used for?

These pieces serve as auxiliary furniture in dining rooms, providing a flat surface for laying out food and drinks during meals. Cupboards and drawers below hold tableware, linen and silver. Historically, they cleared dining tables of heavy serving dishes between courses, allowing guests more room and comfort.

How do I spot a genuine Georgian piece?

Examine the construction methods visible inside the drawers and at the back of the carcass. Hand-cut dovetails, timber shrinkage and hand-planed secondary woods point towards eighteenth or early nineteenth-century work. Stylistic cues like restrained stringing, flame mahogany veneers and period brass hardware also help separate genuine antiques from later revival furniture.

How do I care for antique mahogany wood?

Keep wooden furniture away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent the timber and veneer from drying out or splitting. Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth and avoid silicone-based polishes. Feeding the wood occasionally with traditional beeswax preserves the depth and natural lustre of the antique finish.