Louis XVI Oak Bedside Table, France, 1900

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Description

French bedside table in the Louis XVI style, made around 1900. The division into a closed body and an open … Read more French bedside table in the Louis XVI style, made around 1900. The division into a closed body and an open base with a shelf is clearly proportioned; the diagonally set veneer surfaces create a calm and uniform appearance on the front. Historical context: The bedside table emerged as a distinct type of furniture in the 18th century and was an integral part of middle-class bedroom furnishings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The closed compartment served to store nightclothes, the drawer smaller personal items; the light-colored interior lining met the hygienic requirements of the time. Bedside tables were usually made in pairs or as part of a complete bedroom set, often manufactured with standardized fittings. The casters on the feet facilitated moving the table for cleaning, a common feature in households with servants. Characteristics: The door panel, drawer front, and lower shelf display a four-part, diagonally set parquet veneer with opposing grain directions. The four turned feet stand on cast-iron casters with brass fittings; the hardware is designed with a bow and garland motif. Design: The design follows the Louis XVI style as it appeared at the turn of the century: straight lines, rectangular structure, fluted corner pilasters on the body, and tapered, fluted legs with ring profiles. The door panel is framed by applied round nails in the corners, a motif that structures the surface without cluttering it. Ornamentation is limited to the bronze fittings; the effect arises primarily from proportion, profiling, and veneer pattern. The open base with an intermediate shelf lightens the form and maintains the vertical structure. Function: Formerly: storage of chamber pots and toiletries in the closed compartment, smaller personal items in the drawer. Today: bedside table, side table, telephone table, or storage unit in the hallway; the intermediate shelf is suitable for books or decorative items. Dimensions: Height 83 cm × Width 40 cm × Depth 40 cm. Material and condition: Oak, veneer surfaces in parquet pattern, bronze fittings, cast iron casters with brass fittings. The interior is lined in a light color. Well-preserved, age-appropriate condition with visible patina and signs of use; the fittings show oxidation, the shelf has a few fine scratches. The piece has been inspected and cleaned by a cabinetmaker and is stable.
Up to 250V (Europe/UK Standard).The wiring of this item may be original and might need replacement, if not specified otherwise. See less