How do I care for antique walnut furniture?

Antique walnut requires stable indoor humidity away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent the timber from drying out or splitting. Gentle dusting with a soft cloth keeps the surface clean. Application of traditional beeswax helps maintain the lustre of the polish without building up residue. Avoid modern silicone sprays that can damage older finishes.

How do I tell an 18th-century bureau from a Victorian one?

Eighteenth-century pieces often display hand-cut dovetails, distinct secondary woods like oak, and understated proportions typical of the Georgian or William and Mary periods. Their veneers and marquetry reflect earlier decorative tastes. Victorian pieces frequently utilise heavier burr walnut veneers, machine-assisted construction elements, and more exuberant carved details like paw feet. The interior fittings also tend to reflect later nineteenth-century manufacturing methods.

Burr walnut is a specialised timber derived from the gnarled growth on walnut trees where the grain has grown in a distorted, swirling pattern. This creates highly decorative patterns when sliced into thin veneers. Cabinet makers used these veneers on prominent surfaces like drawer fronts and fall-front lids to create dramatic visual contrast.