Round Tier Table
A round tier table offers layered surface space for lamps and books, taking up little floor space while adding architectural interest to a room.
Round Tier Table
A round tier table provides multiple circular surfaces arranged vertically to hold objects in domestic spaces. These pieces appear in forms such as side tables, occasional tables, coffee tables, and dumbwaiters spanning the eighteenth century to the art deco era.
The selection ranges from simple oak cricket tables to sophisticated French multi-tier designs and revolving bookcases. Walnut and mahogany dominate the offerings, frequently showing distinct periods from Georgian craftsmanship through to nineteen-thirties modernism.
How they were made
Cabinetmakers utilised solid timbers alongside specialised veneers including walnut, rosewood, satin birch, and birds-eye maple to surface the circular tops. Frames incorporate turned supports, bobbin legs, and canework alongside structural brass and chrome elements.
Construction methods relied on traditional joinery to secure multiple tiers around central columns or supporting uprights. Marquetry inlays and detailed edge mouldings demonstrate the precision applied to these multi-level pieces.
Round Tier Table Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for round tier table among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature woods such as walnut, mahogany, oak, rosewood, satin birch, and kingwood.
What varies in quality
Superior examples demonstrate careful selection of figured timber veneers and consistent grain matching across the multiple tiers. The integrity of the central column and the rigidity of the tier connections determine the physical stability of the piece.
Refined surface finishing and restrained decorative details separate masterwork items from standard production pieces. Hardware quality, such as brass feet or specialised hinges on folding shelves, indicates the original grade of manufacture.
The Round Tier Table Glossary
- Cricket table
- A small, three-legged circular wooden table originating in the eighteenth century, typically featuring a plain top and peg-joined legs.
- Dumbwaiter
- A multi-tiered freestanding piece featuring graduated circular trays mounted on a central pillar, historically utilised for serving food and beverages.
- Marquetry
- The art of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns and pictorial designs.
- Gueridon
- A small French occasional table, often round and supported by a central column or multiple legs, frequently featuring marble or canework.
- Whatnot
- An open set of multi-tiered shelves designed for displaying ornaments and small objects.
Round Tier Table: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a round tier table used for?
These pieces serve as functional furniture for placing lamps, drinks, and books within living spaces.
Multiple levels allow users to organise items efficiently while occupying minimal floor space in a room.
How do I identify an art deco tier table?
Art deco versions typically date from around nineteen-thirty and utilise figured walnut, maple, or chrome.
They favour geometric symmetry, stepped tiers, and streamlined surfaces over traditional carved ornamentation.
What is the difference between a side table and a dumbwaiter?
Side tables offer simple surface space for everyday domestic placement beside seating.
Dumbwaiters incorporate distinct graduated tiers intended originally for serving food and supporting tableware.
How should I care for a veneered table?
Keep wooden surfaces away from direct sunlight and excessive moisture to protect the underlying timber veneers.
Dust regularly with a dry cloth and avoid harsh chemical polishes that can degrade the historic finish.