Where should I place a console table?

Console tables sit flat against a wall, making them suited for entryways, hallways, or living rooms beneath a painting or mirror. Their shallow depth allows them to occupy narrow circulation spaces without blocking movement. Pairing a console with a matching giltwood mirror creates a traditional focal point in a reception room. They also function well behind a sofa or along a dining room wall for serving.

How do I care for giltwood?

Giltwood requires gentle maintenance to protect the delicate gold leaf and gesso layers from moisture and abrasion. Dusting with a dry, soft cloth prevents particle buildup without disturbing the surface. Avoid using liquid cleaners, polishes, or chemical sprays, which can strip or discolour the historical gilding. Keep these tables away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight.

How do I distinguish eighteenth-century pieces from later revivals?

Eighteenth-century originals display hand-cut joinery, older secondary timbers, and tool marks consistent with period hand tools. Examination of the construction underside often reveals the age of the wood and the assembly methods. Nineteenth and twentieth-century revival pieces utilise machine-sawn timber and standardised fixings while faithfully copying neoclassical forms. The wear patterns on the gesso and gilding also help establish the chronological span of the object.

What is the difference between a console and a centre table?

A console table stands against a wall and is finished primarily on the front and sides, often requiring wall support for stability. These pieces feature flat backs designed to meet vertical surfaces. A centre table is freestanding and finished on all four sides to be viewed from any angle in the middle of a room. Centre tables often take circular or oval shapes, such as the gueridon.