With its beautiful carving and marquetry, this dressing table is similar in quality to pieces produced by leading New York firms of the time, such as Herter Brothers. Mahogany and maple provide a striking visual contrast that is enriched by inlaid mother-of-pearl. When the mirror-backed doors are open they reveal a third mirror—all framed in marquetry of maple, mahogany, and mother-of-pearl (an expensive luxury that would usually be hidden). Marquetry drawer fronts with peacock feathers in mother-of-pearl and silver-plated drawer pulls add further opulence, while the complex jigsaw-cut decoration around the upholstered footrest echoes the scroll patterns in the marquetry.