Sheraton Marquetry Side Table
A sheraton marquetry side table brings refined neoclassical lines and delicate floral or urn inlays into a room.
Sheraton Marquetry Side Table
A sheraton marquetry side table encompasses pieces designed in the late eighteenth century alongside later revivals from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. These pieces appear in forms such as demi-lune serving surfaces, pembroke tables, and oval occasional tables.
The aesthetic relies on straight tapered legs, geometric or curved proportions, and contrasting light timbers. Examples span authentic George III period items to Sheraton Revival interpretations produced around nineteen hundred.
Materials and construction methods
Cabinet makers utilised foundational timbers such as mahogany and walnut, overlaid with veneers of satinwood, harewood, and rosewood. Surface decoration relies on precise marquetry cut from boxwood and other contrasting timbers to form floral sprays, urns, and neoclassical ribbon motifs.
Inlays of boxwood lines and brass stringing accentuate the edges of tabletops and drawers. Joinery follows traditional techniques suited to delicate proportions, with turning employed for legs and hand-cut joints for drawer frames.
One Edwardian table thoughtfully includes the rules for playing the ancient game of goose right on the top.
Distinctions in quality and execution
The sophistication of the marquetry sets superior examples apart, with finer pieces displaying complex shading created by scorching wood in hot sand. The choice of primary timbers, such as figured satinwood or dense harewood, indicates the ambition of the original workshop.
Proportion and crispness of detail dictate the success of the design. Sharply executed tapered legs and tight, seamless veneer work distinguish high-grade production from simpler commercial iterations.
Howard and Son's
The Sheraton Marquetry Side Table Glossary
- Marquetry
- Decorative veneer work assembled in patterns to form pictures or ornamental designs on a wooden surface. Craftsmen cut various coloured woods together to ensure tight joints.
- Satinwood
- A durable tropical hardwood prized for its golden sheen and smooth texture. It serves as a primary ground veneer for neoclassical and revival furniture.
- Harewood
- Sycamore wood treated with iron sulphate to achieve a distinctive silvery grey colour. It is frequently employed in late eighteenth century and revival marquetry.
- Demi-lune
- A half-moon shape characteristic of side and console tables designed to sit flush against a wall. These surfaces often feature elaborate frieze decoration.
- Pembroke table
- A small drop-leaf table with hinged flaps on opposite sides. It typically includes one or more small drawers and slender legs.
Sheraton Marquetry Side Table: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I spot a reproduction?
Examine the timber beneath the surface and the ageing of the veneers. Authentic period pieces show consistent mellowing and hand-cut secondary woods.
Modern copies often reveal machine tooling marks and lack the subtle colour variations found in nineteenth century satinwood and harewood.
Were these used as writing desks?
Some variants, specifically work tables and pembroke designs, incorporated small drawers and writing surfaces for correspondence. They served versatile functions in drawing rooms and parlours.
Dedicated side tables remained primarily decorative, holding lamps, urns, or card boxes rather than serving as heavy desks.
How do I care for satinwood?
Keep these pieces away from direct sunlight to prevent the golden satinwood and dyed harewood from fading. Consistent indoor humidity protects the delicate veneer from lifting.
Apply a light microcrystalline wax occasionally to nourish the timber without building up a heavy, cloudy residue.
What is the Sheraton style?
The style takes inspiration from the design books of Thomas Sheraton published in the late eighteenth century. It emphasises neoclassical restraint, slender tapered legs, and classical motifs like urns and bellflowers.
Later Victorian and Edwardian revivals adopted these exact motifs, producing high quality side tables and quartetto nests.