Object Description
An Extremely Attractive and Imposing French Wrought Iron and Parcel Gilt Console Table With Original Brèche d’Alep Marble Top
French circa 1880
Of grand scale, this console table is of particularly well-proportioned slim form, the body of the table formed of wrought iron with original parcel gilt highlights in the Louis XV style, having a thick cut serpentine Brèche d’Alep marble top. The two leaf clad cabriole legs of C and S scroll rococo form, joined by a pierced stretcher with central gilt floral motif with conforming frieze above. The whole standing on small ball feet.
Any console table relies for the success of the design on its proportions and this piece is perfect-slim enough not to look unbalanced but deep enough to be usable and practical. The iron work is of excellent quality and the remaining parcel gilding is wonderful-the surface overall has aged beautifully and is mellow and very attractive.
The Brèche d’Alep marble top has been expertly carved and chamfered on the edges and the table has a very gently undulating serpentine form.
Brèche d’Alep is wonderfully expressive marble, extracted from French quarries in the 18th Century and used by many royal residences throughout French as a way to promote this wonderful marble over its Italian counterparts.
Brèche d’Alep marble was know by another name “Brèche Madame” (Breccia Madam), this was due to the aunts of Louis XVI (daughters of Louis XV) were using it to decorate their interior.
This wrought iron console is a superior example in quality and scale.