Object Description
An ebonized beech Campaign Torchère Tripod Table or Candle Stand with removable legs and top. To dismantle the table, it’s turned upside down and an iron bolt to the underside of the column is unscrewed. Each leg has a metal fitting, with a hole for the bolt to pass through, that meet in the centre of the column. With the bolt removed, the legs pull out of their fittings. The push on top allows the table to fully dismantle into 5 pieces. This is an unusual piece of campaign furniture with the parcel-gilt painted decoration over the ebonized ground very effective. The paint is certainly worn in places, such as the legs that have been handled more, but this doesn’t diminish the look of the piece. The column is fluted above carved acanthus leaves and the round top has a moulded lip to its edge. This Torchère could perhaps be considered a luxury piece for an officer and would have been used to take a candlestick. It was likely made as a bespoke piece. Painted campaign furniture is known but not common and Torchères, such as this, even less so. Circa 1800.