What is a serpentine edge?

A serpentine edge curves outward in the middle and inward near the corners, forming a wave-like contour. This shape was favoured by cabinet makers to add movement and elegance to case pieces and tables. Crafting this profile required precise carpentry to ensure the wood veneer followed the undulating line without splitting or lifting over time.

Where were these tables placed?

These tables typically stood in principal rooms such as drawing rooms, parlours, or reception halls. Centre tables occupied the middle of the space, while console and side tables rested against walls. Card tables remained folded against a wall until needed for evening entertainment, at which point staff or owners moved them into position.

How do I care for burr walnut?

Burr walnut requires stable indoor humidity and protection from direct sunlight to prevent the timber and veneer from drying out. Dusting with a soft, dry cloth maintains the finish without stripping natural oils. Polishing should occur infrequently using traditional beeswax, avoiding modern silicone-based sprays that can penetrate micro-fissures in aged veneer.

How are Victorian and later tables told apart?

Victorian tables usually display heavier proportions, robust carved elements, and darker shellac finishes typical of mid-nineteenth-century taste. Later Edwardian and twentieth-century revivals often feature lighter framing and crisper, more restrained decorative carving. Examining the secondary woods underneath and the style of the hardware provides further clues to the manufacturing decade.

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Serpentine Burr Walnut Table

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A serpentine burr walnut table brings the distinctive, undulating curves and rich grain patterns of Victorian and later furniture directly into a room.