Victorian extending dining tables

There are many different designs of dining tables on the market but in my experience the most versatile and stable are the Victorian and Edwardian extending dining tables. They come with leaf insertions that fit in when the table has been pulled (earlier design) and wound out on a screw mechanism by turning a crank handle (much like you would see on a vintage car)

This table has 2 leaves and winds down to a square table when the the leaves are taken out

Normally these tables have 1 or 2 leaf insertions. The 1 leaf tables sit 6 very comfortably and may sit 8 at a squeeze and the 2 leaf tables seat 8-10 comfortably perhaps 12. I have had these tables with 5 leaves that would seat 24 + but they are scarce nowadays.

I f you are thinking of buying such a table , ask if the leaves are original. Nowadays these tables are becoming very difficult to source with original leaves but it is a big plus if they are. Make sure the leaves are flat and not warped and the table does not sag when fully extended. Sagging occurs when the table has been heavily used and wound in and out most days and so the runners become worn.
An expensive job to repair.

The table above is 14ft long when extended

The table leg on this example above is quite desirable, although beware that a lot of the modern copies imported from Indonesia have this design.

This table would be circular when the leaf had been taken out

 

This table is in stock at present and would have been made circa 1880-1900 

The table above is made of solid walnut and is a late Victorian example. It is known as a cut corner table

visit www.hingstons-antiques.co.uk to view other Victorian dining tables

Victorian Desks

One of the items of furniture that seems to stay constant in its popularity are antique desks.
The Victorian pedestal desk has been superb for not only in a business setting but also in the home.

These desks come into 3 parts and so make them very portable.

If you are contemplating purchasing one,I would recommend that you check how worn the drawer runners are as some are heavily worn due to constant use and therefore do not work well.

In recent times the 5ft wide desk was the most sought after but as the computer becomes so much smaller the 4ft version is now catching up.

If you require a very large Victorian desk then perhaps you should go for a partners desk

These large desks normally are fitted drawers on one side and cupboards and drawers to the rear. They make wonderful work  stations as there is so much space to use and also are very impressive.

At our shop we have a good selection of Antique and Victorian desks, if you care to take a look at our website you will see a good variety. www.hingstons-antiques.co.uk

Antique bureau

15 years ago dealers would be dying to purchase a bureau for stock. A bureau would be chased and bought at very high prices as they were always a top seller and the price was not as important as its features. A standard plain mahogany bureau would command £1000 and would be a guaranteed sale.

Then came the computer revolution in the home. The massive screen/ tower/ printer of a computer made the bureau redundant in those households overnight. The rage then became the 5ft pedestal desk. That was the size needed to accomodate the clutter of a computer and the lack of area in a bureau made it useless for modern use at that time..

 
Much to the trades despair the bureau not only became a non-seller the price started to fall and many dealers were left with bureaus that had become almost impossible to shift.

The future for the bureau is now becoming brighter, the modern lap-tops and i-pads mean that the bureau can be functional again and the price will rise again quite quickly.

What to look for when choosing a bureau.

The fall on a bureaus front must be flat and not warped.

No splits or cracks on the fall

A good attractive interior, and is best with a door in the centre of the interior.

Original handles and feet (although this is becoming a very difficult feature to find)

 4 graduated drawers

Walnut or mahogany are normally the most popular, some oak country bureaus also.


If you are looking for a bureau or desk please copy and paste the link below and visit view our selected stock on offer.


 http://www.hingstons-antiques.co.uk/products/antique_desks/antique_desks.html

Nick

Edwardian antique reading chair

Edwardian inlaid mahogany reading /easy chair. The chair has a mahogany frame with a double box line inlay to the arms and front legs. The square tapering legs ending on brass and china castors (replaced but identical to the original)

These chairs are remarkably comfortable and elegant. For more images you may like to look at our website. hingstons-antiques.co.uk

Victorian antique bookcases

A fine Victorian walnut bookcase. These are always super pieces of furniture that grace any home. Fantastic display for your books and cupboard space below.  I have often seen them lined out and lit, to make great display cabinets.

Another style of bookcase that I find popular that were made in the late Victorian / Edwardian period are revolving bookcases. These have great storage and and are quite novel.
We have 3 in stock at present. To view please visit our website and look at the bookcase section
www.hingstons-antiques.co.uk