How do I use a card table daily?

These tables function well as console or side tables against a wall when the top is folded closed. Simply unfold the leaf and swing the supporting leg out when you need a surface for cards or writing. Keep the timber away from direct sunlight and strong heat sources to protect the delicate veneers and polish. A soft, dry cloth is sufficient for routine dusting.

How do I tell an eighteenth-century table from a revival piece?

Examine the secondary woods on the interior framing and drawer linings, as older pieces use native timbers appropriate to their period. Tool marks and hand-cut joinery also offer clear clues regarding the age of the construction. Revival pieces from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries often display machine-sawn elements and standardised hardware fittings. The finish and wear patterns on the underside usually corroborate the stated era.

Why do some tables have marble tops?

Marble tops appear primarily on bouillotte tables to provide a durable, heat-resistant surface for evening card games played around candlelight. The stone adds weight and stability to smaller circular frames. This material choice reflects French Louis XVI influences present in certain neoclassical designs.