Quintessential Things Serving Tables

A charming Majolica serving tray with wood and metal handles circa 1890. A scene with a swallow and delicate flowers. Attributed to Sarreguemin...

This is a truly exceptional antique English Edwardian mahogany and satinwood marquetry oval two tier 'etagere', in the manner of Edwards & Roberts, circa 1890 in date. Crafted from the best flame mahogany, note the wonderful grain to the wood and the beautifully inlaid decoration with musical trophies within scrolling foliage and kingwood crossbanding. Masterfully inlaid with Sheraton influences, this etagere has an elegant refined look. The removable glass bottomed tray can be used to serve drinks, etc. It is raised on elegant square section tapering outswept legs with a shaped cross stretcher. The craftsmanship and finish are second to none. THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THIS ITEM IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 84 x Width 89 x Depth 55 Dimensions in inches: Height 33.1 x Width 35.0 x Depth 21.7 Edwards & Roberts was founded in 1845, and had premises at 21 Wardour Street London. By the 1892 they occupied more than a dozen buildings in Wardour Street, where they continued to trade until the end of the century. They became one of the leading London cabinet makers and retailers working in a variety of styles, both modern and revivalist. Their business also involved retailing, adapting and restoring the finest antique furniture and there are many examples of their earlier furniture with later embellishments bearing their stamp. Edwards & Roberts specialised in marquetry, inlay and ormolu. Marquetry is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, pewter, or brass silver) of different colours are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers. The technique of veneered marquetry had its inspiration in 16th century Florence. Marquetry elaborated upon Florentine techniques of inlaying solid marble slabs with designs formed of fitted marbles, jaspers and semi-precious stones. This work, called opere di commessi, has medieval parallels in Central Italian "Cosmati"-work of inlaid marble floors, altars and columns. The technique is known in English as pietra dura, for the "hardstones" used: onyx, jasper, cornelian, lapis lazuli and colored marbles. In Florence, the Chapel of the Medici at San Lorenzo is completely covered in a colored marble facing using this demanding jig-sawn technique. Techniques of wood marquetry were developed in Antwerp and other Flemish centers of luxury cabinet-making during the early 16th century. The craft was imported full-blown to France after the mid-seventeenth century, to create furniture of unprecedented luxury being made at the royal manufactory of the Gobelins, charged with providing furnishings to decorate Versailles and the other royal residences of Louis XIV. Early masters of French marquetry were the Fleming Pierre Golle and his son-in-law, André-Charles Boulle, who founded a dynasty of royal and Parisian cabinet-makers (ébénistes) and gave his name to a technique of marquetry employing brass with pewter in arabesque or intricately foliate designs. Etagère is a piece of light furniture which was extensively made in France during the latter part of the 18th century. It consists of a series of stages or shelves for the reception of ornaments or other small articles. Like the what-not it was very often cornerwise in shape, and the best Louis XVI examples in exotic woods are exceedingly graceful and elegant. In modern usage, an étagère is often used to refer specifically to a long-legged shelf unit that fits over a bathroom toilet...

This elegant silver fish serving set includes a knife and fork, both elaborately decorated and preserved in their original velvet-lined presentation box. I believe the handles are st...

Early 19th Century Regency mahogany serving / side table, having a nice figured moulded edge top above two oak lined drawers with the original turned handles, decorative black line i...

19th Century English Mahogany Butler's folding Tray Table. Newer Base Measures 32" in width, 19.5" in depth and stand 34.75". Tray is 3.25" in height.

A nice MCM stainless steel serving tray with walnut handles, circa 1960s. The tray is in good vintage condition and measures 19" W x 8.25" D x 1.75" H. #1623.

Wooden Maija-Series Serving Tray, designed by Aino Aalto. Originally designed in 1936 for Artek Finland. - Typical Alvar Aalto / Artek Style Finger Joint Construction - Large model...

A 19th Century George III style Mahogany butler Tray Table. This can may be used as two separate pieces as the base may be used as a stand alone table. Tray is 27.5" in width, 17" in...

Large mahogany butlers tray on stand featuring a rectangular shaped tray with a surround gallery. with handles on either end for easy access. On folding X frame stand with heavy wove...

A 19th-century mahogany butler tray on a stand featuring a rectangular-shaped tray with a surrounding gallery. On a folding X-frame stand wi...

1712 Vintage Italian brass and inlayed serving tray

Superb butler tray from the first part of the 19th century in solid mahogany with its four foldable sides which is unusual Very beautiful set which can be used as a bar or decoative...