Marquetry Tray

[islandretro]

Does anyone know anything about marquetry work? I have this gorgeous little pin tray (for want of another thing to call it)  - measures 12 inches long by 6 inches wide,  made from a wood with a flecky grain, with an inlaid section that includes 2 little circles of mother of pearl.

I was hoping someone might be able to give me an approximate date, and what sort of 

wood it is made from? I am wondering if it is beech, as it has that sort of flecky grain.

cheers

Rae

[lakeland27]

i think it looks like beech too. late victorian or edwardian .  the wood in the centre is a fruitwood like pearwood. a lot of it is done by staining the same timber .. if you look either side of the black line that surrounds the inner cartouche' (? hot weather is a bit confusing) you can see although the color is lighter inside , the grain is the same,:-)

[islandretro]

Thanks Lake, I was thinking Edwardian as well, just by googling marquetry and looking at the different styles. It is a nice little piece.

cheers

Rae

[putney32]

I thought it may be Oak??

[lakeland27]

i wondered for a while, its similar to silky oak too . english oak or manchurian or whatever has golden flecks rather than darker ones (the flecks are lighter in colour than the other parts of the grain)

photos of timber can be deceptive i think, so ii's hard to tell and i wouldn't be surprised if i was wrong 🙂

[islandretro]

My first thought was oak as well, It isn't Silky Oak, I thought maybe English Oak as well, the back looks more oak-ish than the front, then when I went looking I thought maybe beech... I think beech has this sort of grain as well sometimes. anyway here is a photo (flash) of the back.

[lakeland27]

the back does look more oakish. is that a 'scaredy cat' in the background ?:-)

[islandretro]

Yes it is, and it is a pin cushion. I have not been able to find a date or a maker unfortunately, but it belonged to one my maiden great aunts, and they were born in 1884 and 1888 (died in 1954 and 1964). It may have even been their mothers, Any info on it would be much appreciated 🙂

cheers

Rae

[grannyfrogsmith]

May be Crown Devon,has that "look" about it,then again it may not.

May be worth having a Google.