Antique Walnut furniture comes in two forms, either plain or Burr in grain. English walnut is golden brown with dark figuring. It was much used in veneers from the 16th Century but particularly in the later 17th Century. It can also be cut in Burr to Oyster form. It was used in early periods such as Queen Ann but also very popular in the Victorian and Edwardian era. Walnut furniture from early periods can include low boys, chest on chest and chest on stands and these pieces were only made for the very wealthy. Walnut is a durable hard wood timber so was very popular in the Arts and Crafts movement, as cabinet makers realised that its versatility would make it easier for them to produce the wonderful pieces that can still be seen for sale today.
The Victorians loved to use burr grains on large pieces such as triple wardrobes to large bookcases, as the wonderful figuring would make a statement piece and it would stand out from the plainer woods. The Edwardian cabinet maker also loved to use this wood, as it could be finished from a nice mellow sheen to a high gloss French polish finish and this suited the many different styles produced from the period.