What defines a 17th century tallboy?

These items comprise multi-tiered wooden storage furniture, typically structured as chests of drawers, cabinets on chests, or chests on stands. They reflect the domestic storage needs and cabinet making skills of the Stuart and William and Mary eras.

Which woods were used?

Oak forms the primary structural timber for many regional and domestic pieces, whilst walnut appears frequently in grander decorative examples. Craftsmen also utilised burr walnut, olive, yew, and fruitwood alongside brass hardware for decoration.

How do I spot marquetry?

Marquetry involves contrasting wood veneers cut into pictorial or abstract shapes and laid flush into the surface. On these pieces, it usually depicts floral or arabesque patterns across walnut drawer fronts.

What is an oyster veneer?

Oyster veneering involves slicing thin transverse sections from small branches to produce small, circular wooden discs. These discs are fitted tightly together to create a repeating, patterned surface reminiscent of oyster shells.