What is an inlaid parlour table used for?

These tables originally served as decorative centerpieces in Victorian and Edwardian drawing rooms, holding lamps, calling card trays, or reading material. They were also utilised for intimate parlour games or simply to display prized decorative objects. In a modern interior, they function wonderfully as lamp tables, small side tables, or prominent freestanding accents in a living room or hallway. Their finished table tops and detailed inlay ensure they look striking from any angle.

How do I tell Victorian from Edwardian tables?

Victorian tables, dating roughly from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, often feature darker timbers like rosewood and burr walnut, alongside heavier pedestal bases and rich marquetry. Their designs tend towards elaborate shapes, occasional Rococo revival curves, and deep, polished finishes. Edwardian tables, produced around the turn of the twentieth century, frequently employ lighter woods such as satinwood and mahogany. They often display a more delicate aesthetic, sometimes incorporating two-tier shelving or simpler, slender framing.

Are these tables sturdy enough for daily use?

Most of these tables were built by skilled cabinet makers using dense hardwoods like mahogany, walnut, and rosewood, making them structurally robust. Their solid construction allows them to withstand normal everyday use as occasional or side surfaces. Care should be taken to protect the polished wood and inlaid veneers from excessive moisture, direct heat sources, and heavy impacts. Using coasters and placing them away from direct sunlight preserves both the timber and the delicate marquetry.

What styles of inlay will I find?

The inlay work ranges from subtle geometric stringing in boxwood or brass to elaborate floral marquetry scenes across the central surface. French Louis XVI style influences often introduce refined metallic and light wood motifs. Aesthetic Movement pieces might incorporate coromandel and walnut combinations with distinct linear detailing. Each style reflects the prevailing taste of its specific decade of manufacture.