Edwardian furniture had a short design life from 1901-1910 during the reign of King Edward VII, son of Queen Victoria.  During these few years, furniture left behind the heavy Victorian style for a lighter touch in wood materials and decoration.  Edwardian furniture also borrowed from other periods and is eclectic in nature.  No one style defines the period. This was a time of prosperity in England before the dark times of World War I, and it spanned the period between handcrafted and the onset of mass-produced furniture.

 

Satinwood, also known as yellow, was a very expensive tropical hardwood with a glossy finish. It was used in fine cabinetwork and decorative veneers. During the late 18th and 19th centuries, satinwood was in vogue.  Its light tones provided a perfect canvas for veneers or painting.  Native to India, Sri Lanka and parts of the Caribbean, it is still available today as a luxury wood item.