How do I fix a wall table?

These tables are built to rely on the wall for part of their stability, using brackets or fixings attached to the upper rear framework. They cannot stand entirely free without tipping. Professional installation is recommended to secure the heavy marble top and the wooden frame safely to the wall structure.

How do I clean giltwood?

Dusting requires only a very soft, dry brush or feather duster, avoiding all moisture and cleaning products. Water or chemical solvents will lift the delicate gold leaf and damage the gesso beneath. Professional conservators should handle any repairs to the gilded surface or flaking gesso.

Are marble tops original?

The heavy marble slabs on these tables are generally contemporary with the base frame, fitted specifically to the contour of the woodwork. Figured marbles and white Carrara tops both appear across the period. Examining the underside of the stone and the top edge of the wooden frame reveals how the two elements rest together.

How do I distinguish eighteenth century from revival?

Eighteenth-century pieces display hand-carved depth and organic asymmetry born of the period, while nineteenth-century revivals often use heavier gesso build-up and more regular machine-assisted symmetry. Tool marks on the unvarnished timber backs and the composition of the gesso layers help determine the exact period of manufacture.