Circular Killarney Inlaid Table.

This circular Killarney inlaid, tilt-top, tripod table probably dates to the mid to late 19th century. It is decorated with a central roundel containing an image of Muckross Abbey. The roundel is enclosed, in turn, by trailing shamrocks.

Along the outer edge, a band of additional roundels depict well known tourist sites including Glena Cottage, the Old Weir Bridge and Innisfallen. The table has a pie crust edging and paw feet.

Killarney Furniture: A Brief History.
During the 1820s bog oak and bog yew, found in bogs close to Killarney town, began to be used to produce wooden goods for tourists. By the late 1830s the wood of the native arbutus (Arbutus unedo) was also being exploited to produce inlaid items. This industry was well established by the late 1840s.

Items of furniture produced by this inlaid arbutus industry included: cabinets, chiffoniers, davenports and games' tables. Smaller items were also produced. The inlaid motifs included representations of local tourist sites including: Muckross House, Muckross Abbey, Killarney House, Glena Cottage, Ross Castle, Innisfallen, etc. Representations of the eagle, deer and Irish harp were also used, while decorative borders included shamrocks, ferns, oak leaves and acorns, holly leaves, etc.

This Killarney industry was in decline by the 1880s. However, between 1929 and 1952 the production of inlaid arbutus furniture continued in the Gap of Dunloe.