Stands of all kinds often find uses quite different from their original purpose. A butler’s tray, for example, makes a good drinks table.

Gueridons were among the first stands. Made in various styles, they were used from the 17th ‘century for supporting candlesticks or lamps. One popular design has a black human figure holding a circular tray. Candlestands became less common with the spread of gas lighting in Victorian times.

Antique Collection

Low stands for tea urns or kettles are the right height for modern sofas and are often used as wine tables. Many have a piecrust edge and tripod legs. Good Georgian examples fetch up to £20,000 at auction, and made-up pieces around £1000. From the 1760s, taller stands on four tapered legs became popular. Hat stands and hall stands were 19thcentury inventions and were usually made of wood or cast iron. They were the first pieces of furniture a visitor noticed and so were highly decorative. Many hall stands are large, incorporating cupboards and a mirror, coat hooks and a tray at the bottom to catch the drips from wet coats and umbrellas.

For Food and Drinks

Dumbwaiters — with two or three circular tiers around a central column — were left in the dining room for diners to serve themselves after the servants were dismissed. Most 18th- century examples are mahogany, but late ones may have brass supports. Dumbwaiters will fetch between £1500 and £5000; check that two-tier examples have not lost a third tier.

Voiders were the earliest form of tray and, from the early 18th century, often had a separate folding stand. Early voiders and some rare Victorian ones made of papier-mâché are kidney-shaped. Butler’s trays make good drinks tables so demand has pushed up prices, to £500-£1500 for a tray and its original stand.

For Shaving and Music

The Georgian period saw the introduction of shaving stands, with foldaway mirror and concealed basin; some doubled as writing tables. Fine examples designed by Thomas Sheraton fetch £10,000 or more. Simple Victorian shaving stands fetch £500 or less. From the late 18th century, music stands became common in middle-class homes. They are typically of walnut or mahogany with ornate lyre-shaped lattice work. Today 19th-century examples fetch £500-£2500.

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