What is a georgian marquetry table used for?

These tables served various social functions in the eighteenth-century home, acting as desks, tea tables, or surfaces for card games. Fold-over leaves allowed compact items to expand when guests arrived. Today, they function well as decorative occasional tables, lamp stands, or hall furniture. Their flat surfaces and patterned tops make them suitable for displaying small objects or holding books.

How do I identify a genuine period piece?

Examine the timber underneath, the construction of the drawer linings, and the hand-cut nature of the dovetails. Eighteenth-century pieces typically show hand-planed secondary woods and subtle irregularities in the veneer cutting. Check for period-appropriate hinges, locks, and fixings. Machine-cut screws or modern adhesives point towards later manufacture or substantial restoration.

How should I care for an antique wood surface?

Keep wooden furniture away from direct sunlight and steady heat sources to prevent the veneers from drying and lifting. Maintaining a stable room temperature protects the delicate boxwood and fruitwood inlays. Apply a traditional beeswax polish sparingly and buff with a soft cloth to maintain the lustre. Avoid silicone-based sprays or excessive moisture on fragile marquetry.