How do I identify Hoshiarpur tables?

Hoshiarpur tables are recognisable by their octagonal or square tops covered in minute geometric carving. They rely heavily on contrasting brass wire and bone inlay. These pieces reflect specific regional craftsmanship from northern India during the Victorian period.

What timber was used most?

Padauk and teak appear most frequently among these nineteenth-century furnishings. Rosewood, ebony and general hardwoods also support the heavy relief work. These timbers offered the structural density required for deep undercutting and intricate piercing.

Where were these pieces used?

British families living in India utilised these furnishings in colonial bungalows and administrative offices. Later, owners brought them back to Britain for drawing rooms and studies. Their exotic appearance suited Victorian tastes for eclectic interior decoration.