What is a vitrine display table used for?

These tables were designed to showcase small valuable items, personal jewellery, medals and curiosities within drawing rooms. The glass top allowed owners to view their collections without exposing them to dust or handling. Today, they serve the same purpose for modern collectors, offering a secure and visible surface in living spaces and hallways.

How do I tell Edwardian from Victorian tables?

Victorian examples tend to use heavier mahogany or rosewood with robust brass mounts and deeper proportions, reflecting mid to late nineteenth-century tastes. Edwardian pieces often employ lighter satinwood, delicate marquetry inlay and slender tapered legs. Revival styles appear across both periods, drawing heavily on French eighteenth-century designs regardless of the exact decade of manufacture.

What are the lined interiors made of?

Original interiors were typically lined with velvet, satin or fabric to cushion the displayed items and provide a contrasting background. Many surviving examples retain their period textile lining inside the display well. Where fabric has degraded over time, conservation standards permit sensitive replacement using traditional textile types.

Are the glass tops removable?

Most vitrine tables feature hinged lids that lift upwards on brass pivots or small hinges to allow access to the interior. Some variations utilise fixed glass panels with side-opening doors, while others are secured with small working locks and keys.