What is an art deco tier table?

An art deco tier table is a multi-level occasional, coffee, or side table produced predominantly during the 1920s and 1930s, featuring stepped or stacked horizontal surfaces. These pieces combine geometric styling with practical surface space, utilising materials like figured walnut, oak, and chrome.

How were these tables used originally?

They functioned as versatile surfaces for lamps, books, smoking accessories, and drinks, often placed beside sofas or in the centre of rooms. Some specialised variants included built-in book storage or served as movable tea trolleys for entertaining guests.

How do I style a tier table at home?

Distribute objects across the multiple levels by placing taller items on lower shelves and smaller decorative pieces on top to maintain visual balance. Allow the natural wood grain or contrasting metal details to remain visible rather than overcrowding every available surface.

How can I tell the period of a table?

Look for characteristic materials such as figured walnut veneer, blonde oak, macassar ebony, and tubular chrome supports typical of the interwar decades. Construction details, including the presence of solid secondary woods and stepped architectural silhouettes, generally point towards manufacture between 1920 and 1940.