Edwardian Table Set
When you search for an edwardian table set, you find groupings of matching tables, dining suites, and nests spanning mahogany, oak, and silver.
Edwardian Table Set
An edwardian table set encompasses multiple forms designed for dining, living, and social gathering. The selection spans extending dining tables paired with chairs, nests of coffee and occasional tables, and smaller cruet sets for the table.
Mahogany and oak dominate the construction, often taking the form of nests of three or four tables, sometimes called quartetto sets. Dining tables utilise extending mechanisms or draw leaves to accommodate larger gatherings.
The period covers the early twentieth century, drawing on Edwardian, Arts and Crafts, and Georgian stylistic influences. Pieces range from simple utilitarian oak refectory tables to inlaid mahogany sets with satinwood banding.
Materials and Techniques
Cabinetmakers utilised solid timbers and veneers, selecting mahogany and oak for structural durability and visual grain pattern. Inlay work in satinwood adds decorative contrast to tabletop surfaces and borders.
Dining furniture employs traditional joinery, including trestle ends and extending runners. Smaller nesting tables rely on slender turned or square legs joined by subtle stretchers for stability.
Early twentieth-century pastimes appear unexpectedly alongside furniture, including boxed table tennis sets complete with celluloid balls.
Markers of Quality
The standard of timber selection and the precision of inlay determine the finish of wooden sets. Fine examples display consistent grain alignment and tight joinery across all matching elements.
Matching consistency across larger suites, such as dining tables paired with twelve chairs or nests of four graduated tables, dictates the integrity of the ensemble.
Sampson Mordan·Goldsmith & Silversmith's·Waring & Gillows·Jaques & Hamleys
The Edwardian Table Set Glossary
- Quartetto set
- A nest of four tables designed to graduate in size so they fit neatly beneath one another. This form became particularly popular during the Edwardian period for entertaining.
- Refectory table
- A long dining table traditionally supported by trestle ends or heavy legs joined by a floor stretcher. Edwardian interpretations frequently utilise heavy oak.
- Draw leaf table
- A dining table with leaves stored beneath the main top that pull out to extend the surface area. This mechanism allows quick adjustment for varying numbers of diners.
- Satinwood inlay
- Decorative wood ornamentation inserted into recesses in a darker primary timber like mahogany. It creates contrasting geometric or floral patterns.
- Cruet set
- A matched grouping of small bottles, jars, or shakers for condiments, held in a metal frame. Materials include silver plate and sterling silver.
Edwardian Table Set: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for antique mahogany tables?
Keep wooden surfaces away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations to prevent timber splitting. Regular dusting with a soft cloth maintains the polish.
Avoid silicone-based polishes, opting instead for traditional beeswax applied sparingly.
Are dining tables and chairs always sold together?
Dining tables frequently appear alongside matching chair sets, such as twelve chairs accompanying an extending table. The items share timber types and stylistic details.
Individual pieces also appear independently depending on how previous owners dispersed the suite.
What distinguishes Edwardian furniture from Victorian pieces?
Edwardian design generally favours lighter proportions and brighter woods compared to the heavier, darker aesthetic of the late Victorian era. Pieces often incorporate inlaid satinwood and simpler geometric lines.
Influence from Arts and Crafts movements also introduced plainer, unadorned oak forms.