This stunning piece of furniture is very much dual purpose. When closed, it looks like a side or writing table, but with one easy movement the top section lifts up & the bottom comes down, which turns it into a 3 tier buffet. It's fantastic quality, with beautiful carving along the cross stretcher, the side supports, the legs & around the central freize. In fact, I would say the carving within the cross stretcher is quite Gothic in style. This buffet is solid walnut, in good original condition & I would say it dates to around the 1880's.