Satinwood Occasional Table with Detachable Glass Tray

This is an early 20th century satinwood occasional table with a detachable glass tray. The table stands on square legs that are swept and tapered and are inlaid with ebony line decoration. Both the top and under-tray are quarter veneered in satinwood and have inlaid banding. The tray top has an edging of satinwood and ebony cross-banding and is fitted with a pair of brass scroll carrying handles. The top of the table has a low raised gallery edge which the tray sits into to locate it securely. East Indian satinwood was much prized for its colour and graining in the late 18th century by Thomas Sheraton in particular, then again in the early 20th century (Sheraton revival), mostly used as decorative bandings. Satinwood is an expensive luxury timber.