What is Sorrento ware?

Sorrento ware refers to decorative wooden items, particularly tables and boxes, produced in the Italian town of Sorrento during the nineteenth century. These pieces showcase intricate marquetry using native timbers like olivewood. Craftsmen cut veneers by hand to create detailed geometric patterns, landscapes, and floral designs that cover the entire upper surface.

How do I care for marble tops?

Specimen marble and stone surfaces require gentle cleaning with a soft, damp cloth and neutral soap. Avoid acidic liquids like citrus juice or vinegar, which etch polished stone. Waxing is generally unnecessary for the stone itself, but the wooden base benefits from occasional application of quality beeswax.

Pietra dura is a painstaking technique where artisans inlay finely cut polished hardstones into a solid marble or slate background. The resulting pictures often depict birds, fruit, or elaborate geometric patterns. This method reached a peak in Italian workshops frequented by nineteenth-century travellers on the Grand Tour.

Where were these tables placed?

Nineteenth-century households positioned these decorative items in reception rooms, parlours, and hallways as display surfaces. Occasional tables held small lamps, calling card trays, or imported ornaments. Tilt-top variants allowed owners to fold the surface upright against a wall when floor space was needed.

How do I date an inlaid table?

Dating relies on examining the secondary timbers, construction methods, and stylistic cues present in the woodwork. Nineteenth-century examples often combine walnut frames with distinctive Sorrento marquetry. Earlier pieces from the Georgian era display heavier proportions, while Victorian and later nineteenth-century pieces lean towards eclectic revival styles.

Search 0

46,043 PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 195 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS

Sorted by

Per page

VISITOR LOGIN JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN

Saved

GIFTS

Italian Inlaid Side Table

195 ITEMS ADDED TODAY

Visitor Login (saved items)

Sort Order

Items Per Page

Italian Inlaid Side Table

39 items · page 3 of 3

← Page 3 of 3 →

An italian inlaid side table brings tactile warmth and intricate geometric or figurative pictures straight into a room from nineteenth-century workshops.