Object Description
Pair of Louis XVI style marble and ormolu occasional tables
French, 20th Century
Height 74cm, diameter 51cm
This refined pair of French occasional tables offers a striking blend of classical inspiration and late-20th-century craftsmanship. Elegant in both form and execution, they are designed to function as decorative accents while also standing confidently as sculptural objects within an interior.
Produced in the last quarter of the 20th century, these tables are the work of French maker C. Gaignon, operating under the name Jardinières & Intérieurs. Gaignon was part of a modern generation of French designers dedicated to preserving traditional decorative arts through contemporary production. His approach combined historical study with skilled casting techniques, resulting in pieces that echo the past while remaining firmly rooted in their own time.
The tables are topped with circular marble surfaces framed by finely cast gilt-bronze galleries. Each rests on six slender, turned supports that descend to crisply modelled hoof feet, all connected by a triangular stretcher centred by an ornamental tazza. The overall design references 18th-century French neoclassical models, particularly Louis XVI and Directoire forms, visible in the symmetry, reeded supports, and disciplined proportions. The precision of the gilding and the clarity of detail, however, reflect modern manufacture rather than historic origin.
Both examples retain their original maker’s plaques reading ‘Jardinières & Intérieurs C. Gaignon, Modèle Déposé, 1995, Herblay, France’.
Whether placed symmetrically or used separately, they offer versatility and quiet sophistication, making them an exceptional addition to a well-considered interior.