How do I care for antique walnut furniture?

Keep wooden pieces away from direct sunlight and steady heat sources to prevent the walnut veneer and delicate marquetry from drying out or splitting. Routine dusting with a soft, dry cloth preserves the polished finish. Avoid using silicone-based polishes or excessive moisture, opting instead for traditional beeswax applied sparingly when the timber appears dull.

How can I tell English and continental tables apart?

Continental examples, particularly Dutch and French pieces from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, often feature more exuberant rococo curves, birds among the florals, and extensive use of ormolu mounts. English productions tend to show more restrained proportions and focus heavily on burr walnut figuring. Examining the secondary woods underneath and inside the drawers also helps confirm the regional workshop origin.

What is the difference between marquetry and inlay?

Inlay strictly refers to sinking pieces of material into a recessed cavity carved directly into solid wood. Marquetry is a form of veneer work where the entire decorative picture is assembled as a jigsaw puzzle before being applied to the carcase. Most floral tabletops utilise marquetry techniques rather than traditional solid wood inlay.