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.