A Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Centre Table

Description

A Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Centre Table.

The table with a Villefranche de Conflent marble top of soft purple patterning against a white ground. Beneath the marble top is a stiff-leaf gilt bronze rim and the frieze is centred by plaques of cupids labours. The tapering legs with arrow feather capitals joined by bow and arrow stretcher.

This centre table is replete with iconography relating to the god of love. The frieze to each side is centred by a gilt-bronze plaque cast in relief with depiction’s of cupids’ gathering flowers, playing the harp, reading lyric poetry, keeping the flame burning, and such charming pursuits. The overall Neoclassical design of the table continues the theme with the legs of the modelled with arrow feather capitals and, especially striking, is the gilt-bronze stretcher joining the legs which is superbly sculpted in reference to cupid with abutting bows and arrow between.

French, Circa 1890.