Not unusual for the time of year, dining table interest has spiked. Nothing more personal than a dining table, as style of life- casual or more formal- and décor- traditional or contemporary- and room size- compact or cavernous- often have more to do with what’s wanted than the style of the table itself.
A word to the wise, when you consider purchasing a period table, beware the banded table! An area with contrasting cross banding of either wood or decoration such as brass inlay around the perimeter of the table top is almost invariably a later add on. Surprising how often people inquire about banding, doubtless because they’ve seen a reproduction example with it- or a period example reprehensibly tarted up for sale. New and tarted up is hard to hide. But often banding, albeit not original, can still have some age to it. Again, beware, as cross banding can often mask substantial old repairs, including what so often occurred, the reshaping of a table top, often to associate the top with a new base. Bear in mind, dining tables are working pieces of furniture, and invariably sustain some damage through extensive use. When a table is restored, then and sadly now, sometimes it is thought easier and cheaper to make an alteration rather than to accomplish a proper repair.