A VERY FINE FRENCH EMPIRE ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY CONSOLE TABLE
With polychromed winged sphinx supports
Paris, France circa 1815

38" H x 45 5/8" W x 19 1/4" D

A perfectly balanced example of the Empire aesthetic, this fine period console features a mottled white-and-gray marble top projecting over a simple beveled uppermost framing. Finely cast ormolu mounts of a shepherd boy and shepherd girl with their animals flank a single full-width drawer in the frieze, this mounted with a jeweler-grade gilt bronze mount of a large rosette and outward rays of layered laurel leaves. The drawer opens with a small inset slot beneath the underside edge.

The frieze is raised on the backs of two carved, gilded and polychromed winged sphinx figurals standing over a single feline leg and stylized paw. The inward curved stretcher shelf in the bottom locks into the turret corners at the front.

Formerly with Sotheby's, Amsterdam where it was sold on September 27th of 2006, achieving 18,000 EUR (converting at the time of sale with an exchange rate of 1.2726 to $ 22,900 USD). Label from the Sotheby's sale is retained under the marble top.

Condition: Early marble top that was probably refinished at some point in the 20th century. Old finish that would perhaps benefit from a refresh, though the aged patina is quite lovely in the historical surface: blemishes, dryness, various spots of discolored shellac. Winged sphinx figures with old cracks and gilt/gesso loss, inpainting and polychromed touchups. Shrinkage crack in the mahogany stretcher shelf along with veneer flaws (a few cracks/patches). Ready to place.

ref. 509GXK12C