Late 18th Century Georgian Later Painted Tilt-Top Table with Geometric ‘Bullseye’ Design - English, c.1780
Antique Georgian tilt-top table c.1780 with hand-painted bullseye design. Restored, decorative and sustainable - a rare blend of craftsmanship and artistry from White’s Antiques, Arundel.
Date: c.1780 - Georgian Period
Origin: England
Material: Mahogany and mixed woods
Design: Georgian circular tilt-top table with original bird-cage tilt mechanism; hand-turned column; tripod base with shaped cabriole outswept legs on pad feet with original castors.
Note: while the original bird-cage mechanism remains present, the rotational feature - common in early Georgian examples - is now fixed to preserve structural integrity. The tilt mechanism operates perfectly.
Condition: Excellent decorative condition with surface wear consistent with age and use. Tilt mechanism and castors in good working order; rotation no longer advised to avoid damage, as typical of early bird-cage designs. Stands very well.
Finish: Later hand-painted geometric ‘Bullseye’ design using our Specialist Distressed Mottled Chalky Finishes, distressed for a soft, time-worn patina
Base Colour: Specialist Distressed Mottled Chalky Antique Inky Black
Geometric Contrast: Specialist Distressed Mottled Chalky Antique White
Dimensions: H: 58 cm (22.8") | Ø 74 cm (29.1")
Delivery: Mainland UK included (excludes trade purchases)
On Display: White’s Antiques, 53 High Street, Arundel, West Sussex
Heritage, Craftsmanship & Timeless Georgian Elegance
Discover the quiet confidence of late-Georgian design - a period that married reason with refinement. Crafted around 1780, this elegant tilt-top table was made during the reign of George III, in the age of Enlightenment and early industrial ingenuity, when proportion, symmetry, and utility defined English taste.
Its original mahogany structure remains intact, and retains its original bird-cage mechanism - a quintessential hallmark of Georgian cabinetmaking, where mechanical ingenuity met the rituals of daily life. This ingenious design exemplifies the era’s balance of engineering skill and social practicality, uniting beauty, proportion, and purpose in a single gesture.
The mechanism, characteristic of early Georgian craftsmanship, originally allowed both tilting and rotation of the tabletop. In this example, rotation has been intentionally stabilised - a preservation measure for authentic 18th-century pieces - ensuring stability and preventing strain on delicate joinery. The tilt action functions smoothly, allowing the table to fold upright when not in use, transforming it from a practical surface into a sculptural focal point.
The decision to secure the rotation does not affect form or function; rather, it honours the maker’s ingenuity while protecting against the common damage caused when owners of the period forced rotation the wrong way - the very reason later Georgian designs revised the mechanism.
Restored and reimagined in our studio, the table has been hand-painted in Specialist Distressed Mottled Chalky Antique Inky Black and Antique White, the Geometric ‘Bullseye’ Design lending rhythm and movement while preserving the quiet dignity of its 18th-century form. Faint traces of grain shimmer through the layered paint, evoking time’s passage and craftsmanship’s endurance.
This is a conversation between centuries - the artistry of Georgian cabinet-making meeting the modern eye for pattern and form. Whether tilted upright as a sculptural accent or lowered for use as a coffee, side, or lamp table, it captivates with balance and beauty.
Desirability
Genuine Georgian tilt-top table with later artistic enhancement
Distinctive hand-painted geometric ‘bullseye’ motif
Compact, versatile form - sculptural when upright, practical when lowered
Authentic 18th-century craftsmanship with 21st-century decorative flair
Warm, characterful patina and timeless proportions
The Heart Behind the Finish - History in Every Hue
Our Specialist Handcrafted Paint Finishes are not merely decorative; they are a philosophy. Each layer is applied by hand using natural pigments and traditional recipes that echo period palettes. The result is a surface rich in nuance - calm, tactile, and gently aged - designed to reveal rather than disguise the story of the wood beneath.
Inspired Heritage: Colour palettes draw from Georgian and Continental traditions.
By Hand, With Heart: Painted using time-honoured methods and natural materials.
Descriptive Names, Timeless Roots: Our colour names carry historical echoes.
Crafted Slowly, Perfected Gently: Layered, softened, and nuanced for enduring beauty.
Design Inspiration: Geometry as Legacy
Every geometric design we create is drawn by hand and precisely calculated for harmony and proportion.
This table’s bullseye pattern celebrates the Georgian fascination with symmetry - where structure meets soul. The contrast of pale Antique White against deep Inky Black creates a rhythm of light and shadow that lends this antique a contemporary, artistic dimension.
Explore Every Facet
Our high-resolution photographs invite you to linger over each detail; these visuals form part of the condition report, offering full transparency and allowing you to appreciate the craftsmanship and patina in detail.
The crisp hand-painted geometry and delicate distressing
The turned column and finely shaped cabriole legs
Original castors and bird-cage mechanism
The subtle sheen revealing glimpses of grain beneath the finish
Styling Suggestions
Timeless and versatile, this piece suits both period and contemporary interiors.
As a lamp or side table, it adds quiet sophistication.
As a coffee table, its compact scale suits modern living.
Tilted upright, it becomes a decorative focal point, displaying its geometric artistry like a painted panel.
Pair with natural linens, soft greys, or darker Georgian greens to echo its palette - or set against a pale wall to let the pattern sing.
Sustainable Style
Thank you for considering antique furniture; it is both an aesthetic and environmental decision. Restoration is the most elegant form of sustainability: it preserves craftsmanship, honours materials, and keeps beautiful pieces in circulation. By choosing this table, you help ensure that the skills of cabinet-makers and restorers continue to thrive in a world too quick to discard.
Purchase with Confidence
When you purchase from White’s Antiques, you are not simply acquiring furniture - you are embracing history. Every item is described with care and photographed in detail to ensure complete transparency. Enjoy complimentary UK Mainland delivery (excluding trade purchases); your piece will arrive safely within 2–5 working days of cleared funds.
We are an established and successful business serving both trade and private collectors. You are warmly invited to visit our shop at 53 High Street, Arundel, and/or our Showroom in West Sussex to experience our curated collections firsthand, explore the rich history behind each antique and witness these timeless treasures in person.
Export & Worldwide Shipping Quotations
Please copy and paste the link(s) relating to the item(s) in question to any of the following for tailored quotes:
Hordern’s Removals: hordernsremovals@gmail.com
Charlie Godwin: guildford@packsend.co.uk
Neil Curl Transport: neil@neilcurltransport.co.uk
Simon Hall Limited: exportdesk@simonhalllimited.com
measurements
Height:
58 cm
Diameter:
74 cm
measurements
declaration
Whites Antiques has clarified that the Antique Georgian Tilt-Top Table c.1780 - Decorative Hand-Painted Geometric Design (LA548123) is genuinely of the period declared with the date/period of manufacture being circa 1780