Like many other makers of fine furniture, Wade has a long history in the business that reaches back more than a century. Founded in 1886 by James Lupton of Leeds, England, the company initially built its reputation and its clientele by making fine oak furniture. In 1981, nearly a century later, Charles Wade, a third-generation furniture manufacturer himself, was brought in to head up the company which was renamed Wade Furniture in 1990. These days, the company is still faithful to its roots in Leeds, but its client base now extends to many far-flung corners of the globe. And it’s easy to understand why.

This is English reproduction furniture at its finest, elegant and carefully crafted to reside in the most stately of homes. Each piece is individually hand-finished and hand-polished using French polishing methods to develop the wood’s natural patina. Some pieces feature exquisite decorative inlay in hand-cut veneers; others boast graceful carvings or leather tabletops. All joints are dovetailed and all drawer sides are made of solid timber.

Where oak was once the only choice, the company now produces pieces in mahogany and yewtree as well as oak. Each piece is built by a team of two craftspeople: one who builds the furniture and another who has studied and perfected the methods of French polishing. Thanks to French polishing and hand-finishing, the company can offer some select finishes, including Traditional Mahogany, Mellowed Mahogany, Yewtree and Walnut.

The Nottingham Collection, in particular, is an extraordinary presentation of elegant home furnishings. Dining tables, coffee and occasional tables, chests and cabinets, bookcases and sideboards make up the bulk of this important collection. Ultimately, however, all of the furniture from Wade is important, both for its past and its future. It is, after all, meant to last for generations.