This is a fantastic Victorian style marquetry dining set, comprising a gorgeous burr walnut and marquetry dining room table with a matching set of eighteen chairs. It is made from burr walnut which has a beautiful grain, and this has been embellished with the superb inlaid marquetry decoration, of ribbons, urns, flowers and vases. 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: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 79 x Width 500 x Depth 150 - fully extended Height 79 x Width 180 x Depth 150 - when completely closed Height 105 x Width 56 x Depth 53 - 2 Armchairs Height 105 x Width 48 x Depth 46 - 14 Side chairs Dimensions in inches: Height 2 feet, 7 inches x Width 16 feet, 5 inches x Depth 4 feet, 11 inches - fully extended Height 2 feet, 7 inches x Width 5 feet, 11 inches x Depth 4 feet, 11 inches - when completely closed Height 3 feet, 5 inches x Width 1 foot, 10 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches - 2 Armchairs Height 3 feet, 5 inches x Width 1 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 6 inches - 14 Side chairs 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 produces 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 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. French polish is an alcohol and shellac polish for wood, it takes a lot of patience and hard work, but it is one of the most beautiful finishes available, producing an exceptionally high gloss. 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. Our reference: 06494a Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse. Shipping: We ship worldwide and deliver to Mainland UK addresses free of charge. A shipping cost to all other destinations must be requested prior to purchase. To request a shipping quote for the items in your cart, please click HERE. Delivery and return policy: We require that someone be home on the agreed delivery day if applicable, otherwise a redelivery fee will apply. In accordance with Distance Selling Regulations, we offer a 14-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the item. The item must be returned in its original packaging and condition. Unless the item is not as described in a material way, the buyer is responsible for return shipping expenses. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the European Union.