How do I care for carved wood?

Dust the carvings regularly using a soft brush to prevent dirt settling in the recesses. Apply a quality wax occasionally to nourish the timber. Keep the piece away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight to avoid wood splitting or fading.

Where should I place a large sideboard?

Position the piece against a sturdy wall in a dining room, hallway, or spacious living area. Ensure the floor can support the weight of heavy timber and marble. Allow enough clearance around doors and drawers for unhindered daily use.

How can I tell the period?

Examine the wood species, construction joints, and decorative style to narrow down the era. Eighteenth-century pieces differ in timber preparation and joinery from Victorian revivals. Hardware styles and tool marks left on the interior wood offer further clues to the date of manufacture.

A commode is a low chest of drawers or cabinet originating in France. Nineteenth-century makers produced elaborate versions featuring marble tops and carved fronts. They function well as decorative storage units in living rooms and bedrooms.