What is a quartetto table?

A quartetto table is a set of four nesting tables designed to stack neatly beneath the largest top. They were widely produced in the Edwardian era for convenience in smaller drawing rooms. Each table graduates in size, allowing the full set to occupy the floor space of just one small occasional table when not in use.

How do I date an inlaid mahogany table?

Dating relies on stylistic clues, timber characteristics, and construction methods. Edwardian pieces often display lighter satinwood banding and boxwood stringing. Eighteenth-century and Georgian examples generally show heavier timber construction with hand-cut joints and simpler, deeper mahogany tones.

Where should I place a nest of tables?

A nest of tables suits sitting rooms beside armchairs or sofas where surface space is frequently needed. The individual tables can be distributed around the room when guests visit. They also function effectively in bedrooms as bedside surfaces or in studies for holding lamps and small items.

Are card tables still functional?

Card tables retain their folding mechanism and can be opened to serve as side desks or display surfaces. The hinged tops typically unfold to create a stable flat area. While originally built for eighteenth-century card games, they adapt well to modern interiors as console tables placed against a wall.