Sheraton Style Nest Tables
Sheraton style nest tables are versatile stacking tables that bring refined Georgian elegance and practical multi-tier surfaces to a room.
Sheraton Style Nest Tables
Sheraton style nest tables are sets of graduated stacking tables designed to slide neatly beneath one another when floor space is at a premium. The pieces appearing here span the Victorian and Edwardian eras, alongside items attributed to the nineteenth century and the year 1910.
The form itself is often described in period terms as a quartetto, denoting a set of four interlocking tables. You will encounter sets comprising three or four tables, shaped in rectangular, serpentine, or oval formats.
Originating as a clever space-saving invention, these tables serve readily as occasional surfaces for lamps, wine, or coffee while retaining a slender profile. Mahogany and satinwood dominate the construction, frequently accented with fine contrasting stringing and banding.
How they were made
Construction relies heavily on timbers such as mahogany and satinwood, chosen for their grain patterns and suitability for fine cabinet work. Workshops employed precise joinery to ensure the graduated frames clear each other smoothly when stacked.
Decoration is achieved through contrasting inlay work, utilising boxwood and rosewood to create delicate banded edgings and classical motifs. Tops are polished to a warm sheen that highlights the natural figuring of the timber without obscuring the grain.
Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical UK retail prices for sheraton style nest tables, calculated from the Sellingantiques database of over a million retail prices indexed since 2003. This retail price guide relies exclusively on Sellingantiques data; no external sources or auction records are used, so the figures do not describe the wider market.
One set manages to squeeze four distinct tables into the floor space usually occupied by a single occasional stool.
What varies in quality
Quality separates ordinary utility pieces from the finer expressions through the crispness of the inlay and the selection of the timber. Dense, well-figured mahogany and carefully matched satinwood veneers indicate superior craftsmanship.
Structural refinement also dictates value, seen in the slender proportions of the legs and the tight tolerances of the stacking mechanism. Tables that retain their original polished finish and tight joints sit firmly at the top of the range.
The Sheraton Style Nest Tables Glossary
- Quartetto
- A matching set of four stacking tables designed to fit one beneath another. This nineteenth-century term appears frequently in descriptions of nesting tables.
- Serpentine
- A gently undulating curved outline, curving inward at the centre and outward at the ends. This profile adds fluidity and elegance to table tops.
- Inlay
- A decorative technique where contrasting woods or other materials are inserted into recessed cavities in the primary timber. Boxwood and rosewood are typical choices for this contrasting work.
- Stringing
- Thin, narrow lines of inlay used to outline table tops and legs. It provides a crisp border that defines the geometric shapes of the furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a quartetto nest?
A quartetto nest is simply a matching set of four graduated tables designed to slide neatly together into the footprint of the largest single table.
This term was widely used in the Victorian and Edwardian periods to describe sets built specifically for entertaining and compact storage.
How do I date these tables?
Dating relies on examining the timber species, construction methods, and secondary woods used beneath the polished surfaces. Edwardian examples often feature brighter satinwood and lighter framing compared to darker nineteenth-century pieces.
Stylistic cues, such as serpentine shaping and delicate boxwood stringing, also point toward specific decades of manufacture.
Are these tables sturdy enough for daily use?
Yes, despite their delicate appearance and slender legs, these tables were built to support everyday items like books, cups, and small lamps.
Care should be taken with the joints of the smallest, lowest table, as its compact frame handles the most frequent movement.
Where should I place a nest of tables?
They excel beside armchairs or sofas where surface space is needed only intermittently. You can separate the tables around a room when hosting guests and stack them together when floor space is required.
Their narrow profile makes them particularly useful in smaller sitting rooms or studies.