bespoke handmade marquetry burr walnut dining table & 14 dining chairs

A truly fabulousVictorian Revival dining set comprising a bespoke handmade marquetry dining table and a bespoke set of fourteen matching marquetry dining chairs.

There is no mistaking the classic and sophisticated design of this gorgeousburr walnutand marquetrydining set.The table is made from burr walnut which is not only strong, but has a beautiful grain. To highlight the grain, this table has been French polished. A French polish is an alcohol and shellac polish for wood. It takes a lot of patience, but it is one of the most beautiful finishes available, producing an exceptionally high gloss.The table has four leaves which can be added or removed as required to suit the occasion by a special double wind out mechanism. When completely wound in, and the leaves are all removed the table is transformed into a 5ft diameter dining table.It is raised on six elegant legs for extra stability and they terminate in brass cap castorsThe table has exquisite marquetry decoration and these regal decorations include bouquets of flowers, vases, swirls and geometric designs.
This fine table is supplied with a matching set of fourteen burr walnut and inlaid marquetry dining chairs which complement the table beautifully. The set comprises a pair of armchairs along with a total of twelve side chairs. The chairs are made from solid walnut and also feature marquetry inlaid decoration along the same lines as the table.For your seating comfort, the chairs in this set have beautifully upholstered and feature drop in seats which can quickly and easily be removed leaving the cane seats below available to provide a cooler seating option in warmer weather.
Condition:In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.The making of a marquetry masterpieceThe making of a bespoke marquetry dining table involves many phases - carried out with the highest level of attention to detail - by third generation master craftsmen in our workshop in Italy.First the design of the marquetry is drawn on paper.The paper is then glued on to a sheet of plywood and the veneers are attached to the underside with pins.There can be a maximum of 16 sheets of veneer. In this case, there are 8 for the burr walnut and 8 for the marquetry.With a fret cutter, using a very fine blade, the marquetry is cut out, using the burr walnut and various coloured veneers to compose the flowers. Today we use an electric fret cutter, although in the 18th and 19th centuries the cutters were operated by treadles.All of the cut out pieces of veneer are then placed on a large tray.They are then singed by being placed in hot sand in a red hot crucible. This singed effect gives different shades to the various veneers, depending on how deep and how long they are left in the hot sand.The various items of veneer are then inserted into the burr walnut one by one. After they are inserted, tape is placed over them to keep them in place. They are then turned over and a sheet of glued paper is placed over them all, after which the tape can be removed.The prepared solid mahogany table is then veneered with mahogany - twice on the under side, horizontally and vertically, and then once on the top side.The prepared marquetry and burr walnut sheet is then placed on top and the whole table top is placed into a hot press, which glues the sheet to the top.The backing paper can then be sanded off.The table top is then veneered 4 times to prevent the top from bowing or warping.Once the assembly is complete, the table is French polished by hand using natural products, resulting in a stunning bespoke masterpiece of marquetry.Dimensions in cm:Height 79 x Width 430 x Depth 150-Fully extendedHeight 79 x Width 150 x Depth 150-With all leaves removedHeight 88 x Width 50 x Depth 53-Side chairsHeight 88 x Width 58 x Depth 61-ArmchairHeight 46-Seat HeightDimensions in inches:Height 2 foot, 7 inches x Width 14 feet, 1 inch x Depth 4 foot, 11 inches-Fully extendedHeight 2 foot, 7 inches x Width 4 foot, 11 inches x Depth 4 foot, 11 inches-With all leaves removedHeight 2 foot, 11 inches x Width 1 foot, 8 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches-Side chairsHeight 2 foot, 11 inches x Width 1 foot, 11 inches x Depth 2 foot-ArmchairHeight 1 foot, 6 inches-Seat Height
Our reference: A1203a
“Burr Walnut” refers to the swirling figure present in nearly all walnut when cut and polished, and especially in the wood taken from the base of the tree where it joins the roots. However the true burr is a rare growth on the tree where hundreds of tiny branches have started to grow. Burr walnut produce some of the most complex and beautiful figuring you can find.
Marquetry is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, mother of pearl, pewter, brass silver or shell) of different colors are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers.Winding Mechanism for extending tables
A man by the name of Samuel Hawkins applied for a patent on a screw expander on June 6th, 1861. Presumably, Mr. Hawkins either died or retired because his business was taken over by a young machinist named Joseph Fitter in 1864.
Joseph Fitter operated a machinist shop where he produced winding mechanisms for extending tables as well as screw expanders for piano stools and other applications at 210 Cheapside, Birmingham England by the name of Britannia Works.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: M734GMHXG

Width (cm):

430

Height (cm):

79

Depth (cm):

150

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