Victorian papier-mâché top tea table
Victorian papier-mâché top tea table
7209
An early Victorian papier-mâché snap-top tea table with floral and mother of pearl decoration on a painted base, circa 1840.
Victorian papier-mâché furniture became popular in the mid-19th century as a lightweight, affordable, and decorative alternative to wood.
Made by layering paper pulp or sheets hardened with glue and varnish, these pieces were often lacquered to a glossy black finish and richly embellished with mother-of-pearl inlay, gilt designs, and floral motifs.
The furniture included chairs, tables, trays, and cabinets, prized for their elegance and craftsmanship. Although not as durable as wood, papier-mâché pieces reflected the Victorian love of ornamentation and innovation.
They combined artistry and practicality, embodying the era's fascination with new materials and industrial production methods.
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