How do I spot an Edwardian nest?

Edwardian sets typically feature lighter mahogany frames, slender tapered legs, and delicate satinwood stringing or inlay around the top edges. They prioritize refined proportions suitable for parlour use. These pieces usually comprise three or four tables that slide smoothly into a tiered stack, reflecting the period's taste for versatile, space-saving furniture.

What defines an Art Deco nest?

Art Deco sets showcase bolder geometric forms, exotic woods like Indian rosewood or teak, and simpler silhouettes without traditional inlay. They often utilise circular formats or carved details. Such tables reflect the modernist shift of the 1930s toward sleek, functional design that remained compact yet visually striking in contemporary interiors.

Were these always used as side tables?

Historically, these tiered surfaces served multiple domestic functions including tea service, card playing, or holding decorative lamps. Their mobility allowed servants or hosts to deploy them as needed. Today they function flexibly across sitting rooms as lamp tables, occasional surfaces, or individual drink stands that store compactly when floor space is required.

What is a quartetto nest?

A quartetto specifically designates a set of four graduating tables designed to interlock completely. The term derives from nineteenth-century forms popularised during the Regency and Edwardian eras. These sets require precise woodworking so that each progressively smaller table clears the frame of the next without scraping the polished surfaces.