Hi Andy and Bill,
Thanks for your replies.
I agree, it makes sense that it is a privately purchased piece of furniture rather than a standard issue which would have been a lot plainer in design.
Now that I look at the fret work on the base of the table I can see that it probably originates from the East.
I shall try and get it repaired, it is a nice piece of furniture and Mrs B has already agreed to alllow it to be used at home.
Gerry