French Belle Époque Gilt Brass & Onyx Satyress Caryatid Pedestal, Circa 1900s

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French Belle Époque Gilt Brass & Onyx Satyress Caryatid Pedestal, circa 1900

A striking Belle Époque pedestal, cast in gilt … Read more French Belle Époque Gilt Brass & Onyx Satyress Caryatid Pedestal, circa 1900

A striking Belle Époque pedestal, cast in gilt brass and mounted with a removable circular polished onyx top. Measuring 33" high with a 13" diameter, the stand rests on an 11" stepped and reeded circular base. The onyx top (12" diameter) lifts away for ease of movement and display.

The shaft of the pedestal is formed as a full-length satyress, her upper body modeled as a nude female caryatid with arms raised to support the platform, while her lower body transitions into fur-covered goat legs ending in cloven hooves. This hybrid form recalls the satyr/faun companions of Dionysus (Bacchus), reimagined here in the rare feminine guise. Such figures symbolize revelry, fertility, and the untamed forces of nature — themes that resonated strongly with the sensual aesthetic of the French Belle Époque.

The figure’s softly stylized features, supple modeling, and allegorical eroticism link the design to Art Nouveau influences, where mythological archetypes were revived with a fluid, decorative elegance. At the same time, her role as a structural support recalls the ancient caryatids of the Erechtheion in Athens, blending classical precedent with fin-de-siècle fantasy.

Perfect as a plant stand, sculpture base, or accent table, this pedestal exemplifies the French taste for imaginative mythological furniture at the turn of the 20th century.

Dimensions:
Height: 33 in.
Diameter: 13 in. (top 12 in.)
Base: 11 in. See less