Wilhelminian Floral Column Side Table with Marble Top, 1880s

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Description

A round floral pedestal (sellette) in the Neo-Rococo style, probably dating from the last quarter of the 19th century, featuring … Read more A round floral pedestal (sellette) in the Neo-Rococo style, probably dating from the last quarter of the 19th century, featuring an inlaid marble top and an openwork carved frieze. The combination of curved cabriole legs with relief acanthus decoration, the multi-profiled frieze and the contrasting marble inlay results in a formally balanced, cohesive overall design. Historical context The flower stand – known as a ‘sellette’ in French – was one of the characteristic pieces of furniture in the bourgeois salon of the late 19th century. In the wake of Historicism and the widespread adoption of French stylistic forms, such objects were produced in large numbers in Germany and France. They served to display houseplants, vases or decorative objects and were typically placed in prestigious living rooms. Marble inlays in the tabletop were regarded as a mark of quality and were typical of furniture in upmarket bourgeois interiors. The openwork carving on the frame was technically demanding and reflected the design standards of this stylistic period. Features: A continuous frame frieze in openwork carving with scroll and leaf motifs, entirely hand-carved. Inset round marble top in a multi-profiled wooden frame with a reddish-brown and grey-green, high-contrast grain. Design The piece can be formally classified as Neo-Rococo, a style widespread in German Historicism that revived formal elements of the French Louis XV style. Characteristic features include the curved cabriole legs with acanthus motifs in high relief, the openwork in the frame area with scroll ornaments that appear asymmetrical, and the spherical knobs at the bases of the legs. The round table top and the moulded lower shelf consistently echo the circular lines of the design. Overall, the piece displays a combination of historicist design language and refined craftsmanship typical of the Wilhelminian era. Function Formerly: Display of houseplants, vases and decorative objects in the salon or living room of a middle-class household. Today: Can be used as a flower stand, side table or decorative pedestal; also suitable as a standalone piece of furniture. Dimensions Height: 72 cm | Tabletop diameter: approx. 33 cm Material and condition Hardwood, inlaid marble top with a reddish-brown and grey-green grain. Structurally sound, preserved in a condition appropriate to its age with a calm, even wood patina. The marble top shows visible cracks and age-related surface marks. See less