This is a beautiful antique Victorian Papier Maché, reading/music table, circa 1860 in date. The table is ebonised and exquisitely inlaid with mother of pearl gilt decorations. It has a beautifully painted landscape scene with a sailing boat in the background together with an inlaid border of flowers. The top tilts on the baluster column with an adjustable ratchet mechanism and the lobed circular base terminates in elegant scroll feet. It is a lovely decorative object which would add character to any period interior Condition: It is in it's excellent original and untouched condition. Dimensions in cm: Height 72 x Width 62 x Depth 62 Dimensions in inches: Height 2 feet, 4 inches x Width 2 feet, 0 inches x Depth 2 feet, 0 inches Papier Maché, French for "chewed paper”, is a composite material consisting of paper pieces or pulp, sometimes reinforced with textiles, bound with an adhesive, such as glue, starch, or wallpaper paste. The traditional method of making papier-m ché adhesive is to use a mixture of water and flour or other starch, mixed to the consistency of heavy cream. Starting around 1725 in Europe, gilded papier-m ché began to appear as a low-cost alternative to similarly treated plaster or carved wood in architecture. Henry Clay of Birmingham, England, patented a process for treating laminated sheets of paper with linseed oil to produce waterproof panels in 1772. These sheets were used for building coach door panels, amongst other structural uses. Theodore Jennens patented a process in 1847 for steaming and pressing these laminated sheets into various shapes, which were then used to manufacture trays, chair backs, and structural panels, usually laid over a wood or metal armature for strength. The papier-m ché was smoothed and lacquered, or finished with a pearl shell finish. The industry lasted through the 19th century.Russia had a thriving industry in ornamental papier-m ché. A large assortment of painted Russian papier-m ché items appear in a Tiffany & Co. catalog from 1893.Martin Travers the English ecclesiastical designer made much use of papier mache for his church furnishings in the 1930s. Nacre also known as mother of pearl, is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer; it is also what makes up the outer coating of pearls. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent. The outer layer of pearls and the inside layer of pearl oyster and freshwater pearl mussel shells are made of nacre. Both black and white nacre are and were used for design purposes. They were used as decorative motif used in cabinet making or silversmithing. The natural nacre may be artificially tinted to almost any colour. Nacre tesserae may be cut into shapes and laminated to a ceramic tile or marble base. The tesserae are hand-placed and closely sandwiched together, creating an irregular mosaic or pattern (such as a weave). The laminated material is typically about 2 mm thick. The tesserae are then lacquered and polished creating a durable and glossy surface. Our reference: 06408 Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse. Shipping: We ship worldwide and deliver to Mainland UK addresses free of charge. A shipping cost to all other destinations must be requested prior to purchase. To request a shipping quote for the items in your cart, please click HERE. Delivery and return policy: We require that someone be home on the agreed delivery day if applicable, otherwise a redelivery fee will apply. In accordance with Distance Selling Regulations, we offer a 14-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the item. The item must be returned in its original packaging and condition. Unless the item is not as described in a material way, the buyer is responsible for return shipping expenses. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the European Union.