Object Description
These pedestals are beautiful, colourful pieces of furniture. They are crafted from marble and onyx, which was a highly fashionable crafts material in France in the 19th Century. They are decorated with hand-painted porcelain plaques, multicoloured champlevé enamel designs and gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts.
The pedestals are shaped like stylised columns. Each is topped by a capital, which is composed of a square green onyx slab (abacus) on a marble cushion-form (echinus)—one of which is red and one pink. The pedestals’ necks are decorated with gilt bronze husk trails and champlevé enamels, taking the form of stylised foliage, flowers and latticework. These necks also feature porcelain plaques, which are painted with depictions of young lovers in outdoor settings. The squared pedestal shafts are crafted from green onyx and mounted with foliate champlevé enamel and gilt bronze motifs. The bases of the pedestals are decorated in a similar way to the necks, and they are set on slim green onyx bases. The pedestals stand on flared marble plinths—one pink and one red—which are edged with gilt bronze egg-and-dart bands and set on gilt bronze feet.
One pedestal- Height 113cm, width 34cm, depth 34cm
Other pedestal- Height 112.5cm, width 34cm, depth 34cm