How do I identify an Irish table?

Look for distinctive regional design characteristics, such as heavier carved ornament on cabriole legs and the use of native timbers like arbutus alongside imported mahogany. Many Dublin-made pieces also exhibit specific structural signatures or attribution markers linked to prominent nineteenth-century cabinet-makers. Consulting the secondary woods used in the frame construction often provides further clues to regional manufacture, as local workshops utilised readily available domestic timber for unseen structural components.

What is a wake table used for?

A wake table is an extra-long drop-leaf dining table originally built to seat large numbers of people for community meals and gatherings. Their long proportions and multiple folding leaves made them practical for large rural houses. Today, these substantial tables function well in modern dining rooms that require flexible seating arrangements for large dinner parties.

How do I care for antique mahogany?

Maintain antique mahogany by keeping it away from direct sunlight and sudden temperature shifts that can dry out the timber and crack veneers. Regular dusting with a soft, dry cloth preserves the patina without building up chemical residues. Applying a traditional beeswax polish occasionally helps nourish the wood and maintain its deep lustre over decades of domestic use.

What is Killarney marquetry?

Killarney marquetry is a specialised form of decorative inlay using native Irish woods like arbutus, yew, and holly to create detailed pictorial and geometric motifs. Craftsmen cut and fitted contrasting timbers to ornament table tops and occasional furniture. These inlaid surfaces often feature intricate depictions of ferns, ruins, and motifs that celebrate the landscape of County Kerry.