About Burr Walnut

Nearly all walnut wood, when cut and polished displays a swirling figure. However, true burr is much rarer as it it made from unusual growth on the tree where hundreds of tiny branches have started to grow. Burr walnut produces some of the most beautifully complex wood figures that can be found in any type of wood and is prized in fine furniture making for this complexity. We have made great use of this wonderful wood in this bespoke handmade large dining table.

Marquetry

The technique of using inlaid wood veneers, silver, brass pewter and mother of pearl to create pictures and patterns was developed in the luxury cabinet making workshops of  Flanders including Antwerp during the early 16th Century. The craft drew its inspiration from 16th Century Florence where craftsmen inlaid solid marble slabs with designs formed from fitted jaspers, semi-precious stones and other marbles.

Marquetry became all the rage in 17th Century France where the craft was imported to create furniture of unprecedented luxury by manufacturers such as Gobelins. Items of great splendour were created for Louis XIV’s various royal residences including Versailles. Early masters of the craft included the Fleming Pierre Golle who, together with his son-in-law Andre-Charles Boulle founded a dynasty of Parisian cabinet-makers who supplied the royal household and became famous for a type of marquetry that used brass and pewter to create intricate foliage designs.

Marquetry continues to be used in a range of fine furniture using modern designs and patterns. The skills required to produce marquetry designs, particularly those of earlier centuries are rare.We are very lucky to have the benefit of third generation skilled marquetry craftspeople in our Italian workshop enabling us to bring you this exquisite marquetry large dining table.

Winding Mechanism for extending tables

The invention of a screw expander mechanism was patented by Samuel Hawkins in 1861 and his business was taken over by Joseph Fitter in 1864. Based in Birmingham, England, Fitter expanded the use of the screw mechanism for extending tables as well as for piano stools and other applications.

French Polish

French polishing is a process of bringing wood surfaces to an exceptionally high gloss through the application of an alcohol and shellac polish. It requires a lot of patience and hard work, but the resulting finish is regarded as one of the finest available. French polished surfaces are soft and so stain easily (e.g. with a hot coffee cup) but being soft can also be repaired more easily. Stains can be removed and blended back into the French polished surface relatively easily in comparison to other, more modern, wood finishes e.g. varnish.