Pair Art Deco Night Tables
Pair art deco night tables bring symmetrical bedside utility, pairing walnut, maple and brass in shapes defined by the 1920s and 1930s.
Pair Art Deco Night Tables
When you search for pair art deco night tables, you are looking at matched pairs of bedside cabinets, chests, cupboards and night stands originating primarily from the 1920s and 1930s. The versions you are most likely to meet on this page are French and English cabinets designed to flank a bed with balanced symmetry.
The forms vary between open tables and enclosed bedside chests with doors or drawers. Many examples combine practical storage compartments with compact footprints suited to period bedrooms.
How they were made
Cabinet makers utilised wood carcasses veneered in figured walnut, burr walnut, burr elm, satinwood, birds eye maple and blonde maple to create striking grain patterns across the front drawers and doors. These timber surfaces were frequently complemented by metal mounts, brass details and chrome hardware.
Some configurations integrate glass elements alongside the primary wood structures. Construction methods rely on traditional cabinet-making techniques adapted to the geometric and streamlined aesthetics of the period.
The archived and active inventory spans the years 1920 and 1930, capturing British and French cabinet-making traditions.
What varies in quality
The standard of a pair depends heavily on the choice and matching of veneers, particularly with burr walnut, satinwood and birds eye maple. Superior examples display carefully balanced grain patterns that mirror each other across both pieces of the pair.
Refinement in the hardware and the precision of the joinery set finer pieces apart from standard utility items. The integration of original brass or chrome fittings also influences the overall integrity of the construction.
The Pair Art Deco Night Tables Glossary
- Burr walnut
- A figured wood grain derived from the wart-like growths on walnut trees, prized for its swirling, organic patterns. It appears frequently on cabinet doors and drawer fronts.
- Bedside cabinet
- An enclosed piece of furniture designed to sit next to a bed, typically featuring a small cupboard door or drawers. These provide concealed storage for personal items.
- Satinwood
- A durable, yellowish timber with a lustrous sheen, used for decorative veneers and inlay work. It brings a bright contrast when paired with darker woods like walnut.
- Birds eye maple
- A figured variety of maple marked by small circular patterns that resemble birds eyes. Cabinet makers utilise this timber for its distinctive decorative surface.
- Night stand
- An open or semi-open bedside table used for holding lamps and books. They share floor space duties with more enclosed bedside chests.
Pair Art Deco Night Tables: Frequently Asked Questions
Are both tables always identical?
Most matching pairs share identical dimensions, timber selections and hardware configurations to maintain symmetry on either side of a bed.
Minor variations in natural wood grain can still occur due to the use of figured timbers like walnut and maple.
How do I identify the decade?
Pieces from this category typically span the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting the progression of the style. Earlier examples lean towards simpler geometry, while 1930s pieces often feature bolder curved veneers.
English and French regional differences also influence the specific silhouette and hardware choices.
What woods were commonly used?
Walnut and figured walnut form the foundation of the majority of these bedside cabinets. Lighter alternatives such as satinwood, birds eye maple and blonde maple appear frequently.
Cabinets occasionally incorporate burr elm alongside brass and chrome accents.
Do they provide adequate storage?
Enclosed bedside chests and cupboards offer internal shelving or compartment space behind doors. This keeps nighttime essentials neatly concealed out of sight.
Open bedside tables provide surface placement rather than enclosed volume.