19th Century Rosewood and Pietra Paesina Specimen Table Attributed

Rosewood Table Circa 1890 This exquisite Victorian table is crafted from luxurious rosewood, a highly prized material known for its rich grain and warm hues. The elegantly carved tr...

This remarkable rosewood centre table attributed to legendary firm Gillows showcases masterful craftsmanship and stunningly rare hardstone specimens. The table's base is ornately crafted, complete with lion's paw feet, emphasizing the quality of the wood. The most impressive element of this beautiful piece of furniture, however, is the exquisite inlaid table top. Featuring eighteen semi-precious and hardstone specimens artfully arranged in alternating geometric shapes, rare stones like gem quality Lapis Lazuli, Egyptian porphyry and Siberian amethyst dazzle the eye. Other stones and specimens inlaid in square, circle and hexagon shapes include pyrite lapis lazuli, malachite, green aventurine, agate of amethyst, greek spartan porphyry, labradorite, fossilized wood, occhio di pavone, brèche verte d'égypte, sicilian jaspers, blood stone, spanish brocatelle, siena brocatelle, convent siena and nero antico. The sheer variety and superb quality of these features is an overwhelming visual delight and a triumph of craftsmanship. Hardstone pieces such as this were popular among the British aristocracy...

Octagonal Specimen Table William Trotter Early 19th Century This extraordinary early 19th-century Scottish specimen table is a museum-quality masterpiece attributed to William Trott...

A masterpiece of both cabinetmaking and mechanical engineering, this one-of-a-kind expanding table was crafted by the renowned cabinetmaker Samuel Hawkins of London for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Diminutive in size, the fascinating table was designed as a model to demonstrate Hawkins’ innovative patent screw movement to visitors of the Exhibition – six million people in total over five months. It was exhibited again a century later at the Victoria & Albert Museum during the Festival of Britain, an event intended “to symbolise two main qualities of the national character: realism and strength on the one hand, and, on the other, independence and imagination” (Catalogue of the Exhibition, 1951, p.117). To this day, the miniature masterpiece demonstrates the quest of English furniture makers to combine technical innovation with superb craftsmanship. Displaying exceptional ingenuity, Hawkins’ wind-out screw mechanism allowed one to extend the table’s base to accommodate concentric leaves with the simple crank of a handle. It is based on the inventive expanding table originally designed by Robert Jupe in 1835, which used a swivel mechanism to separate sections of the tabletop and allow for segmented leaves to be inserted. Hawkins’ tabletop, on the other hand, extends outwards directly from the center in order to accommodate additional leaves around its diameter. This unique design allowed the mechanism to also smoothly operate on rectangular tables, which could be wound out from the middle to allow for more table space. Hawkins was not alone in his endeavor to combine the technical merits of engineering and mechanics with the most artful pursuit of cabinetmaking. The first half of the 19th century saw a prolific increase in the popularity of applying new ideas to traditional furniture principles, which allowed furniture to serve many purposes. The resulting “patent” furniture was practical and refined, though few were as innovative as Hawkins’ prodigious design. Carved with the year of the Exhibition on the beautifully designed pedestal base, the table is a testament to the significance of this innovation. The model is mentioned in detail in the catalog of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the first international exhibition of industry, manufacturing, and science. Held at London’s dazzling Crystal Palace, its visitors were treated to exhibits from around the globe, including feats of engineering, innovations in industry, and marvels of design. Queen Victoria herself was a frequent visitor, along with her husband, Prince Albert, and others including Charlotte...

A fine 19th century rosewood game table from England. The curved front has a hand beaded edge and wonderfully grained as well. The table top is constructed ingeniously to fold open a...

With a circular hinged top with brass inlaid border supported on a triangular support ending on a conforming base with brass stringing and raised on plain Greek form feet. Casters.

Antique english Victorian rosewood table with inlay, Circa 1860- 1870.

A high quality and most handsome French 19th century Charles X Period Mahogany, Rosewood, Maple and Brass center table. This most decorative table is supported on a tripod base with ...