Antique Louis Philippe Bedside Table in Burr Walnut with Marble Top, 1860s

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Description

This bedside table was created around the mid-19th century in the Louis Philippe style and exhibits the characteristic combination of … Read more This bedside table was created around the mid-19th century in the Louis Philippe style and exhibits the characteristic combination of a drawer, a single-leaf door, and a marble top. The beveled front edges, the clearly structured design, and the burr walnut veneer with its pronounced grain create a formally cohesive and calmly proportioned overall effect. Historical Context: The freestanding bedside table became a standard piece of furniture in 19th-century bourgeois bedrooms. In the Louis Philippe style, which spread throughout France and Central Europe between the 1830s and 1870s, such pieces were typically placed in pairs next to the bed. The marble top served a practical function as a washable, hygienic surface for toiletries and nighttime items. The compartment behind the door provided concealed storage for a chamber pot and personal belongings. The choice of materials—walnut veneer on a solid wood frame—was characteristic of high-quality bourgeois furniture of this period. Features – Drawer body with visible dovetail joints, solidly crafted – Faceted glass knobs, typical of the Louis Philippe style and the second half of the 19th century.

Design: The nightstand follows the formal repertoire of the Louis Philippe style: rectangular base with slightly beveled front edges, a profiled cornice at the end of the drawer compartment, and a plinth with small turned feet. The front surfaces are veneered with burr walnut, whose lively grain, without additional ornamentation, serves as the sole design element. The interplay between the vibrant veneer and the clear geometric edges is stylistically defining. The white marble top with beveled edges and fine gray veining provides a material contrast to the warm wood tone.

Function: Formerly: Nightstand in the bourgeois bedroom; marble top as a surface for washcloths and nighttime items; door compartment for storing the chamber pot and personal belongings. Today: Usable as a bedside table, side table, or compact storage table; the marble top also makes it suitable as a decorative plant stand or occasional piece of furniture.

Dimensions: Height 80 cm × Width 42 cm × Depth 34 cm. Material and condition: Front and body veneered with burr walnut; white marble top with fine gray veining, beveled glass knobs. Condition: Well-preserved for its age with visible signs of wear; an age-related crack is visible on the left side (see images); patina and surface marks are commensurate with the piece's age. See less