In the 1870s wood carvers emigrated from the shipyards in Glasgow, Scotland, and since they were trained to carve ship figureheads, it was no trouble at all to transfer their talents to adorning furniture elaborately. Many contributed their skills to Grand Rapid companies and undoubtedly were pleased when their craftsmanship was acknowledged since furniture at fairs was tagged as carved, designed, or finished by the particular person named. Therefore, although much was machine done, handwork enhanced expensive offerings from high quality factories such as Berkey and Gay, the first firm to advertise on a national scale; Nelson Matter; the Widdicombs; C.C. Comstock; The Phoenix Furniture Company; and others. Many furniture companies in other locales probably employed Scottish immigrants and profited from their creative skills.
from  VICTORIAN BOOK II, 1983, by Robert and Harriet Swedberg

Above: Parlor table, rectangular, burl veneer, roundels, legs joined by central turned stretcher, 30" x 21 1/2", 28" high. Eastlake with Renaissance influence. (Walnut)

Left: Parlor table, scalloped white marble top, molded apron, cabriole legs, finial at center of base stretchers, 37" x 26", 26 1/2" high. (Walnut)