Brass Cornered Table
A brass cornered table brings utilitarian resilience into domestic spaces, uniting hardwood timber with protective metal hardware.
Brass Cornered Table
A brass cornered table combines structural timbers with protective metal mountings designed originally for transit and military use. These pieces often emerge from the Georgian, Regency, and Victorian periods as campaign furniture intended for officers on the move.
The selections available range from compact coffee tables and console tables to side tables and occasional surfaces. Mahogany and camphor wood dominate the forms, frequently accompanied by brass bindings, flush handles, and corner plates.
Materials and construction methods
Joinery relies on dense timbers such as mahogany, camphor wood, walnut, and rosewood to withstand heavy use during travel. Cabinet makers integrated brass into corners, edges, and strapping to absorb impacts and prevent splitting along the grain.
Hardware is typically sunk flush into the wood surface to maintain clean lines and prevent snagging during packing. Secondary woods like hardwood support the primary surfaces, while leather and satinwood occasionally furnish tops and inlay details.
Brass Cornered Table Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for brass cornered table among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Campaign styles and occasional tables dominate the forms, alongside chests, trunks, and card tables.
Distinguishing quality in construction
Superior examples exhibit precise hand-cut joinery and heavy, well-cast brass hardware securely fastened with original screws. The thickness and selection of timbers, such as figured mahogany or aromatic camphor wood, dictate the baseline robustness of the piece.
Attention to detail in the fitting of flush handles, corner brackets, and secondary interior compartments marks the difference between utilitarian camp output and refined domestic adaptations.
The Brass Cornered Table Glossary
- Campaign furniture
- Movable furniture designed to fold down or dismantle for military campaigns. These pieces utilise brass corners and recessed handles for protection during transport.
- Flush handle
- A metal pull let into the surface of a drawer or door so it does not project. This technique prevents catches and knocks during movement.
- Camphor wood
- An aromatic hardwood frequently used for campaign trunks and chests. Its natural scent repels insects and protects stored contents.
- Brass binding
- Metal strips and angles screwed to the edges and corners of wooden chests and tables. This reinforcement absorbs the shocks of travel.
Brass Cornered Table: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a brass cornered table?
A brass cornered table is a piece of furniture reinforced with metal brackets at the vulnerable edges to protect the timber.
Many of these designs originate from military campaign styles created for easy transport during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries.
How were campaign tables used?
Officers and travellers utilised campaign furniture because it could be packed down, moved, and reassembled easily.
Over time, these durable designs transitioned into permanent domestic settings for their practical proportions and distinctive metal detailing.
Which woods are common?
Mahogany, camphor wood, walnut, and rosewood appear frequently in these listings. These dense timbers provided the necessary strength for travel.
Secondary materials like leather and satinwood also feature across table tops and inlay work.
How do I date these pieces?
Dating relies on identifying period characteristics in the timber, construction methods, and hardware styles. Pieces span from the 18th century through the Georgian, Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian eras.
Matching the specific brass casting techniques and wood grain patterns to known eras helps narrow the age.