19th Century French Louis XV Fireside Table W Hand-Painted Sliding Screen

Details

Description

A charming and unusual 19th-century French fireside table, or table-écran, featuring a retractable hand-painted screen designed to shield the face … Read more A charming and unusual 19th-century French fireside table, or table-écran, featuring a retractable hand-painted screen designed to shield the face from the heat of a fireplace.

The table is beautifully proportioned, with a shaped gallery top above two drawers fitted with diamond-shaped escutcheons. Gracefully scalloped aprons, slender cabriole-inspired legs with carved foliate decoration, and a shaped lower shelf lend the piece its distinctive Louis XV character. The warm wood has developed a lovely patina that highlights its graceful lines.

The most delightful feature is the original sliding fire screen, which raises vertically from behind the tabletop within concealed grooves. One side is decorated with a charming interior scene depicting two elegantly dressed ladies at their toilette, while the reverse features a romantic pastoral landscape painted in muted shades of rose, lavender, and cream. When lowered, the screen disappears discreetly behind the table, allowing the piece to function as a conventional occasional table.

An appealing example of 19th-century French ingenuity, combining practical fireside furniture with whimsical painted decoration. Equally charming beside a fireplace, as a bedside table, or as an occasional table in a thoughtfully collected interior.

The table measures 28.25” tall x 15.25” wide x 19.75” deep. The screen is 13” tall x 15” wide and extends fully to 39” above the floor.

Good antique condition consistent with age and use. The wood retains a warm patina with surface scratches, minor marks, variations in color, and wear to the finish throughout. The hand-painted panels exhibit age-related fading, discoloration, and areas of paint loss, adding to their timeworn character. Minor wear and imperfections to the wood and carved details as expected with a piece of this age. The retractable fire screen slides vertically within its original grooves which have weakened slightly over time. The screen rests most easily at halfway up or all the way down. Overall, a charming example retaining its antique character and decorative appeal. See less