Victorian Papier Mache Tall Chair with Inlay and Painted Decoration

• Inlay - Decorative patterns inserted into the main body of a piece of furniture, generally in wood of contrasting colour and grain, though brass, ivory, ebony, shell and sometimes horn have been used. Inlay may consist of a panel of well figured timber inset into a cabinet door front, geometric patterns, or complex and stylized designs of flowers, swags of foliage, fruits and other motifs. As a general rule, in pieces where the carcase is constructed in the solid, the inlay is relatively simple such as stringing, cross banding and herringbone banding. Where more elaborate and decorative work was required veneer was used. Inlay has been fashionable from at least the latter half of the 17th century, when a variety of elaborate forms were developed
• Parquetry - Parquetry is inlay laid in geometric patterns, the contrast being achieved by the opposing angles of the grain and veneers. The herringbone pattern is the most commonly used in flooring, but this is almost never seen in furniture - the patterns used are more complex and unlike flooring, can include several different varieties of timber.
• Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.
  
  In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.
  
  Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.
• Victorian Period - The Victorian period of furniture and decorative arts design covers the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. There was not one dominant style of furniture in the Victorian period. Designers used and modified many historical styles such as Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan, English Rococo, Neoclassical and others, although use of some styles, such as English Rococo and Gothic tended to dominate the furniture manufacture of the period.
  
  The Victorian period was preceded by the Regency and William IV periods, and followed by the Edwardian period, named for Edward VII (1841 ? 1910) who was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India for the brief period from 1901 until his death in 1910.
• Cane in Furniture Making - Cane, as used to make furniture is harvested from the ratan palm. The rattan palm is a type of climbing palm that is native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa. The stem of the rattan palm, also known as cane, is harvested, stripped of its skin, and then used to make a variety of furniture items. Rattan furniture is known for its durability, lightness and natural beauty. The cane is flexible yet strong and can be woven into various patterns, making it suitable for a wide range of furniture styles from traditional to modern. The furniture made from rattan cane is also known for its durability and resistance to extreme weather conditions. Popular items include chairs, tables, sofas, and cabinets. The natural colour of the cane can be preserved or it can be stained or painted for different looks.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• chairs, singles / pairs / threes, style or period - Victorian, other styles 1,179
• chairs, singles / pairs / threes, timber - papier mache 6