A ROCOCO gilt wood table dating from 1740 has been returned to its full splendour following a year-long restoration and will be on display at Beningbrough Hall.

The table, which has a Breche Violette marble top from Breschia, Italy, has been loving restored by specialist furniture conservators, Peter Hall & Son with stabilisation work to the marble top completed by Cliveden Conservation.

Now the conservation work is complete, the table has returned to Beningbrough and to mark the homecoming there will be a chance for visitors to meet the conservators as they finish the final repairs in situ.

Beningbrough’s house and collections manager Caroline Hill says visitors will also get a chance - on Friday October 20 and Saturday October 21 - to try their hand at oil gilding with gold leaf to see how their efforts compare with the experts.

She added: “This will be a wonderful opportunity for people to see skilled craftsmen in action and find out more about the intricate processes that have enabled this beautiful piece to be restored to its former glory.

"For those who feel inspired there will also be the chance to try the technique and gild your own wooden token as a keepsake.”

Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens, near York, is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 5pm with the hall open from noon.