They're supposed to be used, but on special occasions. They got nice pictures and patterns on them which might be harmed if used a lot. I think this was a 19th and 20th century manifestation where working classes wanted to copy the aristocracy, so they made lounges and separate dining rooms as if they can have lavish dinner parties. It's like if people this century were building small infinity pools on their balconies because they saw Mark Zuckerberg use one.