This is a fantastic bespoke handmade Victorian style marquetry dining set, comprising a gorgeous burr walnut and marquetry dining room table with a matching set of eighteen chairs.
The exquisite hand cut inlaid marquetry decorations are cut from different veneers which are of various colours. To highlight the marquetry, as well as the natural grain of the wood, this table has been expertly French polished by hand.
When fully extended this fabulous table is 500 cm in length and has four leaves of 80 cm each, which can be added or removed as required to suit the occasion by a special double winding mechanism.
For extra stability it stands on six elegantly carved legs which terminate in brass cap castors.
The matching set of eighteen chairs compliment the table perfectly and comprises sixteen side chairs and a pair of armchairs.
The chairs are made of solid walnut and their exquisite burr walnut and marquetry decoration match the table beautifully. An interesting feature is that the drop in seats can be easily removed in hot weather so that the cooler cane seats below can be used.
This fabulous set would also be appropriate for a conference room, but whatever its function, it will make a profound impact on your guests and will receive the maximum amount of attention wherever it is placed.
Condition:
This is a new bespoke handmade table and chair set.
The making of a marquetry masterpiece
The 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 cm x Width 500 cm x Depth 150 cm - fully extended
Height 79 cm x Width 180 cm x Depth 150 cm - when completely closed
Height 105 cm x Width 56 cm x Depth 53 cm - 2 Armchairs
Height 105 cm x Width 48 cm x Depth 46 cm - 16 Side chairs
Height 53 cm - Seat Height
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 7 inches x Width 16 foot, 5 inches x Depth 4 foot, 11 inches - fully extended
Height 2 foot, 7 inches x Width 5 foot, 11 inches x Depth 4 foot, 11 inches - when completely closed
Height 3 foot, 5 inches x Width 1 foot, 10 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches - 2 Armchairs
Height 3 foot, 5 inches x Width 1 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 6 inches - 16 Side chairs
Height 1 foot, 9 inches - Seat Height
Our reference: 06494a
Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse.
