Period Style Table
A period style table brings historical form into a room, offering practical surface space rooted in centuries of design.
Period Style Table
A period style table encompasses items built to historical designs or dating directly from earlier eras, including oak side tables, mahogany dining tables, and satinwood demi-lune pieces. These furnishings bridge utility and design heritage, serving as functional focal points in a room.
The selections available on this page lean heavily towards mahogany and oak construction, reflecting styles from the seventeenth century through to the Regency and Victorian periods. Buyers frequently encounter side tables, occasional tables, and larger dining or console formats.
Examples range from solid oak gateleg and refectory forms associated with the seventeenth century to lighter satinwood marquetry and mahogany tripod tables from the Georgian and later periods. Each piece carries the distinct proportion and silhouette of its designated era.
Materials and Construction
Makers relied primarily on timber such as mahogany and oak, often enhancing surfaces with satinwood, rosewood, and kingwood veneers or intricate marquetry patterns. Brass hardware, marble tops, and gilt bronze mounts provided structural reinforcement and decorative contrast.
Joinery methods varied by period, employing traditional techniques like joint stools, bobbin-turning, and concertina actions for card tables. Timber was selected for grain and stability, allowing pieces to endure centuries of daily use.
Period Style Table Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for period style table among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
The furniture selection includes dining tables, writing desks, sideboards, and occasional tables executed in styles from Charles II to French Empire.
Assessing Quality and Execution
Quality rests in the precision of the timber selection, the crispness of carved details, and the integrity of the underlying structure. Superior examples demonstrate harmonious proportions and uncompromised joinery that align with historical precedence.
The refinement of secondary woods, the execution of inlay work, and the original state of hardware separate standard items from exceptional ones. A well-preserved surface patina further elevates the standing of a piece.
Giles Grendey·Gillows of Lancaster
The Period Style Table Glossary
- Demi-lune
- A half-moon shape used for console and side tables designed to sit flush against a wall.
- Marquetry
- Decorative veneer patterns formed by fitting together small pieces of wood, ivory, or shell.
- Gateleg table
- A drop-leaf table featuring hinged legs that swing out to support the opened leaves.
- Refectory table
- A long, narrow dining table traditionally used in communal halls and monastic dining rooms.
- Tripod table
- A small occasional table supported by a central pillar resting on three feet.
Period Style Table: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify a genuine period table?
Examine the timber shrinkage, tool marks, and construction methods used in the hidden areas of the frame. Older pieces show natural ageing and hand-cut joinery consistent with the stated century.
Compare the proportions and decorative motifs against documented examples from specific eras like the Georgian or Regency periods.
How do I care for antique mahogany wood?
Dust the surface regularly with a soft, dry cloth and avoid placing wooden furniture in direct sunlight or near heat sources. Excessive temperature changes can cause timber to split or veneers to lift.
Apply a quality beeswax periodically to nourish the grain and maintain the natural lustre of the finish.
What is the difference between a side table and a console table?
Side tables are generally freestanding and versatile enough to be positioned beside seating or against walls. Console tables are specifically designed to stand against a wall, often secured or balanced for display purposes.
Console tables frequently feature decorative legs and shaped tops such as demi-lune curves.