Regency Brass Inlaid Sofa Table in Kingwood

Kingwood is often used in small pieces for crossbanding and inlay but it is rare to find a large piece of furniture made almost entirely in this timber. I have just been reading up on it in Adam Bowett’s new book, Woods in British Furniture-Making 1400-1900. The wood is native to northern South America and the tree is low and slender, producing logs 3-6 ft long but only 4-8″ in diameter.
This narrow diameter would explain why the top is made up of thin strips of kingwood.
Kingwood is certainly a lovely honey-coloured timber and this table still retains its original colour and patina and is very smart with the brass inlay, but I particularly like its long flaps which give the table its elegant long and shallow proportions.