Where should I place an antique marquetry end table?

These compact tables fit neatly beside a sofa, armchair, or bed where surface space is required for a lamp or small objects. Their detailed tops look best in spots with adequate lighting to highlight the veneer work. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight or damp environments, as extreme temperature shifts can cause the delicate wood veneers to lift or crack over time.

What is the difference between marquetry and parquetry?

Marquetry involves cutting and assembling wood veneers into pictorial, floral, or curvilinear designs. It requires intricate hand work to fit the various timber colours together. Parquetry uses the same technique of veneering, but strictly limits the patterns to geometric arrangements such as cubes, chevrons, or triangles.

How do I distinguish Edwardian pieces from Victorian ones?

Victorian examples tend to use heavier timbers like rosewood and dark mahogany, often featuring deeper carving and robust proportions. They reflect nineteenth-century revivals of earlier historic styles. Edwardian tables generally display lighter satinwood inlays, slender tapered legs, and a more restrained aesthetic that favoured brightness in smaller drawing rooms.