This guide looks at the social history of antiques. Nicholas Courtney poses questions such as: what were wine-glass coolers and Monteiths used for, and who was Monteith; what were the footmen doing in the early 1900s taking out electric table lamps at night; why do most dining tables up to the Regency period fold up, dismantle or tilt? Courtney then answers the questions, throwing light on items which are taken for granted but the reasons seldom known. He also tells the reader where the best examples can be seen.