How do I fold the table base?

Most octagonal tables utilise a clever intersecting wooden frame that unhooks and collapses flat in two matching sections. Lifting the top separates the slotted wooden legs from the centre pivot. Take care to support the table top fully while folding or unfolding the base to avoid stressing the interlocking joints.

What wood are these tables made from?

Makers utilised dense regional timbers including teak, shisham, sandalwood, and ebony. These woods provided a stable dark background that contrasted sharply with pale bone inlay. Secondary woods also appear depending on availability and the specific workshop producing the item for export.

Are the inlay pieces bone or ivory?

Examining the surface closely reveals the characteristic striations and tiny growth marks typical of animal bone rather than smooth ivory. Artisans utilised camel or bovine bone shaped into delicate geometric triangles and squares. This material held up well to carving and provided a brilliant white contrast against the dark timber.

Where were these tables made?

Production centred on Hoshiarpur in the Punjab region of northern India, a city renowned for its woodcarving and inlay traditions. Workshops there fulfilled orders for the colonial market. Finished items were shipped to British buyers who favoured exotic furnishings for their homes.