center centerJonathan Charles Furniture in Knoxville, Tennessee
Artisan casegoods with hand carving, marquetry, and antique-inspired detail
About Artisan Technique and Antique-Inspired Design
Jonathan Charles occupies a singular place in the furniture world. While most manufacturers long ago moved to machine production, Jonathan Charles still employs hand-carvers, marquetry artists, gilders, and painters working in artisan workshops using techniques that date back centuries. The result is furniture with the detail level and character of museum-quality antiques—but built new, with modern structural integrity, for the way you actually live.
The range of artisan techniques is what sets Jonathan Charles apart. Hand-cut marquetry uses multiple wood species to create intricate geometric and floral patterns. Hand carving brings dimensional depth to every decorative element. Gilt finishes, brass inlay, mother-of-pearl details, and hand-painted panels add layers of richness that machines simply cannot achieve. Each piece is a collaboration between designer and artisan, drawn from the great furniture traditions of England, France, and Italy.
For the collector who appreciates artisan technique and wants a statement piece that starts conversations, Jonathan Charles delivers something rare: furniture that is genuinely handmade by people who have mastered their craft. These are the consoles, cabinets, and accent tables that become the focal point of a room—jewelry for the home, built to be admired for generations.
How Jonathan Charles Builds Your Furniture
Every Jonathan Charles piece is created in artisan workshops by skilled craftspeople specializing in hand techniques that few manufacturers still practice. From marquetry to gilding to hand carving, here’s what goes into furniture that collectors and designers seek out.
Hand-Cut Marquetry
Jonathan Charles employs skilled marquetry artists who hand-cut and assemble intricate patterns from multiple wood species—walnut, satinwood, rosewood, mahogany, and more. Each piece of veneer is selected for its grain and color, then precisely cut and fitted together like a mosaic to create geometric patterns, floral motifs, and decorative borders. This is one of the oldest and most demanding woodworking arts, and Jonathan Charles is among the few manufacturers still practicing it at this level of detail.
Hand Carving & Gilding
Every carved detail on a Jonathan Charles piece is shaped by hand—acanthus leaves, shell motifs, scrollwork, and figurative elements carved from solid wood by artisans trained in traditional techniques. Many pieces are then finished with hand-applied gilt, using gold and silver leaf or carefully layered metallic finishes to achieve the warm, aged patina of an antique original. The result is furniture with the dimensional depth and character that machines simply cannot replicate.
Antique-Inspired Construction
Jonathan Charles pieces are designed to capture the detail level of museum-quality antiques while being built with modern structural integrity. Brass inlay, mother-of-pearl details, hand-painted chinoiserie panels, and eglomisé glass are all part of the repertoire. Every joint is engineered for longevity, every finish is built up in layers for durability. You get the soul of an eighteenth-century original with the reliability of furniture built for daily life.
Jonathan Charles Collections at Bradens
Why Buy Jonathan Charles at Braden’s?
- Curated selection of Jonathan Charles chosen for the pieces that best showcase artisan marquetry, carving, and hand-finished detail
- See the artisan details up close — marquetry patterns, hand carving, gilt finishes, and inlay work that photographs can’t fully capture
- Statement pieces that start conversations — furniture with the presence and detail level of museum-quality antiques, built new for your home
- Expert guidance on placement and pairing — our design team helps you choose the right piece and integrate it into your existing room
- 12-month financing available to make investing in artisan-quality furniture comfortable and approachable
- White-glove delivery — we bring it in, place it exactly where you want it, and handle every detail so your piece arrives safely
Frequently Asked Questions
What is marquetry, and how is it made?
Marquetry is the art of creating decorative patterns by cutting and assembling thin pieces of different wood species into a surface. Jonathan Charles artisans hand-select veneers of walnut, satinwood, rosewood, mahogany, and other woods for their natural color and grain character. Each piece is precisely cut by hand and fitted together to form geometric patterns, floral motifs, borders, and scenes. The assembled marquetry panel is then applied to the furniture surface and finished with multiple coats of lacquer for depth and protection. It’s one of the most time-intensive decorative techniques in furniture making, and the results are unmistakable—no two pieces are exactly alike.
What construction techniques does Jonathan Charles use?
Jonathan Charles combines traditional artisan methods with modern structural engineering. Pieces feature hand carving from solid wood, hand-applied gold and silver leaf gilding, brass inlay, mother-of-pearl detail work, hand-painted panels, and eglomisé (reverse-painted) glass. Beneath the decorative surface, joints are precisely engineered for long-term durability, and finishes are built up in multiple layers to resist wear. The goal is furniture that has the soul and character of an antique original but the structural reliability you need for everyday use in your home.
Where can I buy Jonathan Charles furniture in Knoxville?
Braden’s is an authorized Jonathan Charles dealer with pieces on display at our Knoxville showroom on Turkey Drive. Jonathan Charles furniture is the kind of work you really need to see in person—the marquetry patterns, carved details, and hand-finished surfaces have a depth and character that photographs don’t fully convey. Visit us Monday through Saturday to explore the collection and work with our design team. No appointment needed.
Experience Jonathan Charles in Knoxville
The best way to appreciate Jonathan Charles is to see the artisan details in person. Marquetry patterns, hand carving, gilt finishes, and inlay work have a depth and richness that photographs can’t fully capture. Visit our Knoxville showroom to explore the collection and let our design team help you find the statement piece that’s right for your space.
Knoxville Showroom
11105 Turkey Drive
Knoxville, TN 37934
Mon–Sat 10am–7pm
(Tue–Thu until 6pm)
Maryville Location
119 Airbag Way
Maryville, TN
Select models on display
Est in 1956
With nearly seven decades of experience, we’ve built our name on craftsmanship, care, and a deep understanding of what makes a house feel like home.
Designed for Life
We choose every piece for its lasting quality, timeless style, and ability to bring comfort and character to everyday living.
People first, always
From the way we design to the way we serve, we put people at the heart of everything we do.