19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Mahogany Marble Top Console

Description

19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Mahogany Marble Top Console is a rarity in all original condition! The sumptuous mahogany … more 19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Mahogany Marble Top Console is a rarity in all original condition! The sumptuous mahogany imported from the Americas during this period is incomparable in quality and beauty, and the able craftsmen have sculpted it into the tailored art form that defines the period in simplicity of line with definitive hallmarks like the serpentine form of the drawer tier, the double scrolled front legs and legs carved to very subtly resemble lion's legs and paws. The arbalette form of the lower shelf adds a gracefully shaped shelf as well as reinforcement to the structural integrity of the piece, which is able to stand alone unlike most consoles that need to be fastened to the wall. An added feature ~ the top tier contains a full width drawer making for convenient storage, accessed with hidden finger grooves under the front lip. The top is the original marble cut with a groove all around the edge of the piece in what today is called "sandwich" marble for its resemblance to a couple of slices of bread. Such grooving treatment was only used for a brief period during the middle of the 19th century, making this a rare piece that has retained its complete originality. Some sixty years after its production, it was auctioned off in 1913 as attested by a small hand-written sticker on the inside of the drawer. A fascinating piece of French furniture history!
Circa 1850s
Measures 34H x 39W x 18D less