This is a stunning Vintage Victorian style extending burr walnut and marquetry dining table with matching set of fourteen chairs. This table is made from burr walnut which has a beautiful grain, and this has been embellished with superb inlaid marquetry decoration, of ribbons, urns and garlands of flowers. It has two leaves of 70 cm each, which can added or removed as required to suit the occasion by a special winding mechanism. It has five elegantly carved legs for extra stability and they terminate in brass cap castors. The table top has exquisite hand cut inlaid decorations. These regal decorations include elegant swags and ribbons. To highlight the marquetry, as well as the natural grain of the wood, this table has been French polished by hand. The set of fourteen burr walnut and inlaid chairs match the table beautifully and comprise a pair of armchairs and twelve side chairs. They are made from solid walnut and have upholstered drop in seats which can be removed so that the cane seats below can be used in warm weather. There is no mistaking the classic and sophisticated design of this exquisite oval burr walnut dining room table with fabulous marquetry inlaid decoration. This stunning table can comfortably seat twelve, and is also appropriate for a conference room. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully restored in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 80 x Width 440 x Depth 130 - Fully extended Height 80 x Width 300 x Depth 130 - With both leaves removed Height 105 x Width 56 x Depth 53 - Armchair Height 105 x Width 48 x Depth 46 - Chair Dimensions in inches: Height 2 feet, 7 inches x Width 14 feet, 5 inches x Depth 4 feet, 3 inches - Fully extended Height 2 feet, 7 inches x Width 9 feet, 10 inches x Depth 4 feet, 3 inches - With both leaves removed Height 3 feet, 5 inches x Width 1 foot, 10 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches - Armchair Height 3 feet, 5 inches x Width 1 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 6 inches - Chair Walnut The Walnut woods are probably the most recognisable and popular of all the exotic woods, having been used in furniture making for many centuries. Walnut veneer was highly priced and the cost would reflect the ‘fanciness’ of the veneer – the more decorative, then the more expensive and desirable. Figured Walnut and Burr Walnut (often referred to as Burl Walnut) were considered as the most attractive varieties of Walnut. Burr Walnut veneer was taken from the specific part of the tree where ‘growths’ sprouting smaller branches and/ or roots would occur. As these ‘growth’ areas were limited in both occurrence and size, larger veneers were hard to source and often on bigger furniture (tables, desks, bureaus, cabinets etc), these veneers would have to be carefully joined by matching up the pieces or blending them together. 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 shell and brass with pewter in arabesque or intricately foliate designs. Our reference: 06330a 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.