Vintage Round Accent Table
A vintage round accent table brings practical surface space to a corner, and these pieces span periods from the Georgian era to Art Deco.
Vintage Round Accent Table
A vintage round accent table serves as a flexible surface in a room, functioning as a wine table, lamp table, or occasional table depending on its height and proportions. These items appear in various forms across this selection, including small tripod cricket tables, larger centre tables, and multi-tiered pieces.
The pieces on this page originate from diverse periods such as the 19th Century, Edwardian era, and the 1930s. Buyers frequently encounter smaller mahogany wine tables alongside oak lamp tables and geometric Art Deco designs.
Makers and regional styles introduce distinct character, ranging from English oak tripod designs to French ormolu-mounted gueridons and Anglo-Indian mother-of-pearl inlaid pedestal tables.
How they were made
Construction relies heavily on traditional hardwoods such as mahogany, walnut, oak, and yew, often paired with decorative veneers like kingwood or maple. Carpenters utilised solid timber for sturdy items like cricket tables, while finer display pieces incorporated intricate marquetry and inlay work.
Surface treatments and secondary materials define many examples, featuring white marble tops, brass mounts, ormolu, and chrome detailing. Turning techniques produced barley twist supports and bobbin legs, while hand carving provided detailed ornamentation on pedestals and aprons.
Object types on this page include wine tables, plant stands, tilt-top surfaces, coffee tables, and gueridons.
What varies in quality
Quality reveals itself in the selection of timber and the precision of the joinery, particularly where the pedestal meets the tripod legs or the top attaches to the central shaft. Superior examples display carefully matched veneer grains and tight, hand-cut joints rather than utilitarian fixings.
The refinement of decorative elements sets individual pieces apart, distinguishing simple country pine or oak items from high-grade French marquetry, detailed mother-of-pearl inlay, or substantial marble tops mounted securely to hardwood frames.
Liberty of London·Waring & Gillow
The Vintage Round Accent Table Glossary
- Tripod table
- A small freestanding table supported by a central pillar resting on three legs. This construction prevents wobbling on uneven floors.
- Gueridon
- A small French round table, often used as a stand for a candelabrum or vase. Many period examples feature marble tops and gilt mounts.
- Cricket table
- A small, lightweight English table with a round wooden top and three splayed legs. They traditionally served domestic purposes in cottages and rustic settings.
- Tilt top table
- A table designed with a mechanism that allows the circular top to pivot vertically when not in use. This clever space-saving feature dates back centuries.
- Marquetry
- The art of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns and pictures. Craftsmen used various coloured woods to achieve tonal depth.
Vintage Round Accent Table: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wine table used for?
A wine table is a compact surface historically designed to hold a glass or bottle near a seating area. Their modest proportions make them useful as movable drink stands beside armchairs.
Today, they function well as general accent surfaces for small objects or lighting where space is limited.
How do I identify an Art Deco table?
Art Deco tables, typically dating around 1930, feature geometric lines, streamlined forms, and contrasting veneers like walnut and maple. They often incorporate modern materials such as chrome alongside traditional woods.
These pieces lean towards functional abstraction rather than historical revivals like Jacobean or Georgian styles.
Where do cricket tables come from?
Cricket tables are traditional English round tables supported by three splayed legs. Their rustic construction typically involves oak, elm, or pine.
They earned their name from their simple, sturdy design associated with vernacular country furniture.