Syrian Style Side Table
These pieces are a syrian style side table, bringing intricate geometric inlay and folding forms into a room.
Syrian Style Side Table
A syrian style side table typically takes an octagonal or hexagonal form, designed for occasional use in a sitting room or hallway. You will frequently meet pieces featuring folding bases alongside fixed structures meant to hold lamps or decorative objects.
The aesthetic bridges several related traditions, appearing under labels such as Moorish Revival, Anglo-Indian, and Islamic Revival. Makers in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries produced these items to satisfy a strong European appetite for exoticism in interior decoration.
Forms range from simple lamp tables to more complex games tables fitted for cards, chess, and backgammon. Many date from the Victorian era up through the nineteen-twenties, reflecting a sustained popularity of eastern-inspired craftsmanship in British homes.
How they were made
Carpenters constructed the structural framework using dense timbers such as walnut, rosewood, and ebonised wood, alongside various unspecified hardwoods. These dark woods provided a strong tonal contrast against the pale decorative elements applied to the surfaces.
Workers decorated the panels by setting small pieces of bone and mother-of-pearl into precise geometric recesses within the wood. The intricate mosaic patterns required careful hand-cutting and fitting, often covering the entire top and sides of the table.
Syrian Style Side Table Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for syrian style side 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 items from the Victorian period through the nineteen-twenties, incorporating walnut, rosewood, bone, and mother-of-pearl.
What varies in quality
Quality rests upon the density and precision of the inlay work, where denser patterns of bone and mother-of-pearl demand greater skill from the artisan. Tables featuring complex multi-game boards or integrated cupboards represent a higher tier of production than simple occasional stands.
The choice of primary timber also dictates the standard of the piece, with richly grained walnut and rosewood elevating the status of the furniture. Finer examples maintain crisp edges along the geometric wooden lattices and retain all individual tesserae within the shell ornamentation.
Liberty and Co
The Syrian Style Side Table Glossary
- Octagonal
- Having eight sides. This polygon shape forms the predominant surface geometry for the tabletops in this category.
- Tessera
- An individual small block of stone, tile, glass, bone, or shell used in creating a mosaic pattern. These form the intricate surface designs characteristic of inlay work.
- Ebonised
- Wood finished to resemble ebony. Makers achieved this dark appearance through staining or painting cheaper hardwoods.
- Inlay
- A technique where materials are embedded into the surface of a base object to form a design. Bone and mother-of-pearl serve this purpose on these wooden frames.
- Moorish Revival
- An architectural and decorative style that draws inspiration from the art of the Western Islamic world. It gained widespread popularity in nineteenth-century Europe.
Syrian Style Side Table: Frequently Asked Questions
What rooms suit a syrian style side table?
These tables fit easily into sitting rooms, studies, and hallways where an accent piece is needed next to a chair or sofa. Their compact proportions make them useful for holding lamps, books, or small decorative objects.
Because many feature folding bases, they also offer the flexibility of being stored away when floor space is required for other activities.
How do I care for the mother-of-pearl inlay?
Dust the surface regularly with a soft, dry cloth to prevent particles from settling into the intricate joints between the wood and shell. Avoid using liquid polishes or harsh chemical cleaners that can seep beneath the tesserae and loosen the adhesive.
Keeping the furniture away from direct sunlight and steady heat sources will protect the timber from drying out and shrinking around the rigid inlay.
Are these tables sturdy enough for daily use?
Most examples are built to function as occasional furniture rather than heavy-duty support surfaces. While they easily manage lamps, cups, and books, heavier loads should be avoided.
Folding versions require gentle handling when opening and closing to ensure the wooden hinges and interlocking joints remain undamaged over time.
How do I distinguish between regional styles?
Distinctions often rely on the specific combinations of materials and motifs present on the piece. Items associated with Hoshiarpur typically feature dense overall carved woodwork, whereas Syrian and Moorish examples place greater emphasis on contrasting bone and mother-of-pearl geometric mosaics.
Examining the underlying timber and the geometry of the lattice panels helps clarify the likely origin and design tradition of the furniture.