Art Deco Oak Side Table, 1920

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Description

A round table made of solid oak in the Art Deco style, dating from around 1920–1930 and belonging to the … Read more A round table made of solid oak in the Art Deco style, dating from around 1920–1930 and belonging to the Guéridon type. The design is formally unified: the circular tabletop, the four evenly spaced square columns, and the concave base are in perfect harmony, without any ornamental embellishments. Historical Context: The round table on a central pedestal became an integral part of bourgeois living and salon culture in the 19th century. It served as a freestanding center table where reading, coffee or tea were served, and guests were entertained, making it one of the few furniture types not attached to a wall. In the 1920s, this type was formally simplified: turned baluster columns and carved decorative elements were replaced by geometrically clear supports and flat base constructions. At the same time, solid oak became widespread as a material for mass-produced furniture, as it was robust, readily available, and suitable for visible, unveneered finishes. Tables of this type were found in living rooms, studies, and smaller reception rooms of the urban middle class.

Features: The concave base structurally connects the four columns and also serves as a second shelf. The columns rest on solid, laterally splayed volute feet, which lift the frame from the floor. Design: Art Deco with clear borrowings from the Neoclassical furniture tradition. The design plays with the contrast between the circular tabletop and the square base, which curves inwards at the sides. The profiled apron beneath the tabletop forms the only decorative accent and visually unifies the upper edge. The square columns are unarticulated and slightly set back, which prevents the tabletop from appearing heavy despite its diameter. The ornamentation is limited to profiled edges and the volute shape of the feet; the effect is achieved through proportion and the exposed material, not through embellishment. Formerly a parlor and center table for receptions, reading, and serving drinks. Today: usable as a side table, window table, or hallway table; its height of 74 cm and diameter of 74 cm also allow it to be used as a small dining table for two to three people.

Dimensions: Height 74 cm × Diameter 74 cm. Material and condition: Solid oak, dark-stained and waxed finish, tabletop made of several continuous planks. Well-preserved, age-appropriate condition with visible grain and a gentle patina; a few minor signs of wear on the tabletop and base. The frame is firmly constructed and stable. Inspected and cleaned by a castle custodian. See less