Possibly Scandinavian (Norway / Sweden / Denmark), inspired by English Regency / William IV table?

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by Hallingdalen, Mar 6, 2026.

  1. Hallingdalen

    Hallingdalen Active Member

    I am trying to narrow down the age and origin of this round pedestal centre table and would appreciate input. The table has a diameter of 114 cm and a height of 74 cm. The top is made with very thick birch burl veneer and the underside appears hand worked with rough planing marks and structural support blocks rather than industrial machining. The form is a round centre table with a baluster shaped pedestal and three claw or paw feet. The veneer on the top is laid in large mirrored segments and appears to be sawn veneer rather than the thinner machine cut veneer seen later in the nineteenth century. My current thought is that it may be Scandinavian, possibly Norway, Sweden or Denmark, and inspired by English Regency or William IV centre tables. Those are usually made in mahogany while this example uses birch burl which makes me suspect a Nordic workshop producing an English influenced form. Based on construction and materials I am wondering if a date around 1835 to 1855 seems reasonable or if it could be somewhat later in the nineteenth century. Any thoughts on the age, style or origin would be very helpful.

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  2. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Speaking from the U.S., the foot articulation reminds me of a slightly less elaborated R.J. Horner. Your supposition of Nordic birch influenced by English examples seems reasonable; there does seem to be some knowledge of international trends here. I’d say 1880s-90s.
     
  3. Hallingdalen

    Hallingdalen Active Member

    Thanks for the input, that’s an interesting comparison. I can see the resemblance in the foot articulation, but the main reasons I’m leaning earlier than the 1880s–1890s are construction related.

    The birch burl veneer appears unusually thick and looks like sawn veneer rather than later machine-cut veneer. The underside also shows rough hand planing and individually fitted support blocks rather than standardized factory work.

    Combined with the use of masur birch and a form clearly derived from Regency or William IV centre tables, it makes me think this may be a Nordic workshop interpretation of an earlier English model, likely mid-19th century rather than late Victorian.
     
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  4. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I would also lean to earlier. It looks like German Biedermeier and could be the same period. Scandinavian sounds plausible, but I wouldn't rule out Germany.
     
  5. Hallingdalen

    Hallingdalen Active Member

    As it happened, when I picked up the centre table I also acquired a Biedermeier table (c. 1840–1860). I haven’t been able to find any Biedermeier examples similar to the centre table — most comparable pieces that appear are Regency or William IV. The other table, however, I have seen illustrated in several furniture books, dating it quite clearly to that Biedermeier period.

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  6. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Yes, the other one is a true Biedermeier beauty, stunning.:)
     
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