Antique 19th Century Victorian Pollard Oak Sideboard

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A superb quality Victorian flame pollard oak inverted breakfront sideboard, circa 1870 in date. The sideboard features three drawers in … Read more A superb quality Victorian flame pollard oak inverted breakfront sideboard, circa 1870 in date. The sideboard features three drawers in the frieze and a breakfront design with three paneled doors below opening to cupboards with shelves Add an elegant touch to a special place in your home with this superb antique Victorian sideboard. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and polished in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 88 x Width 117 x Depth 45 Dimensions in inches: Height 2 foot, 11 inches x Width 3 foot, 10 inches x Depth 1 foot, 6 inches Pollard Oak Pollarding is a pruning system in which the upper branches of a tree are removed, promoting a dense head of foliage and branches. It has been common in Europe since medieval times and is practised today in urban areas worldwide, primarily to maintain trees at a predetermined height. The bole of the tree, constantly cut back over a period of years, will eventually form a lump, or ‘burr’, which when sawn for veneer, gives a lovely grained, swirling figure. The effect is similar to that of burr walnut with its distinctive speckled grain. Burrs, or ‘burls’, are growths which appear on the side of tree trunks, resulting from a tree undergoing some form of stress. They may be caused by an injury, virus or fungus. During the 19th century great strides were made in the mechanisation of cabinet making. Marc Isambard Brunel [ Isambard Kingdom’s father] built the first steam driven saw mill, and invented a circular saw that could be used to cut veneers thinly and evenly for the first time. He also developed the first hydraulic veneer press. The figured wood cut from burrs and pollards is notoriously difficult to cut and lay: the wild grain which makes it so attractive results in a very delicate, brittle veneer. The new machines enabled the Victorian craftsmen to make the most of these beautiful timbers. See less