Where should a foyer table go?

These tables are placed centrally in large entrance halls or positioned flat against a wall if the form is a console or demilune. They provide a surface for lighting, flowers, or incoming post. Freestanding centre tables require adequate clearance around all sides to allow proper movement and visibility of the inlaid top.

How do I identify Victorian marquetry?

Victorian examples frequently employ walnut, burr walnut, or rosewood as a dark ground for floral or geometric boxwood and satinwood inlay. Construction methods from this era often include solid mahogany or oak secondary framing beneath the veneers. Looking underneath reveals the age of the timber and the hand-cut joinery characteristic of nineteenth-century workshop production.

What is the difference between marquetry and parquetry?

Marquetry involves arranging various veneers to create pictorial or curvilinear designs such as flowers, scrolls, and landscapes. Parquetry constructs geometric or repeating patterns like chessboards and cubes using angular pieces of wood. Both techniques appear on table tops across the Victorian and Regency periods.

How do I care for antique wood tables?

Keep wooden furniture away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight to prevent the veneers from drying, lifting, or fading. Dust regularly with a dry cloth and apply appropriate wax sparingly to maintain the polish. Avoid placing damp items directly onto polished surfaces to protect the historic finish.