Antique French Louis XIV Style Gibier Table in Carved Oak, C. 1870 (With Earlier Elements)

Description

This amazingly detailed oak and marble table à gibier (game presentation table) hails from France, circa 1870, and was produced … more This amazingly detailed oak and marble table à gibier (game presentation table) hails from France, circa 1870, and was produced in the Louis XIV style. Although the table was created in the late 19th century, it incorporates elements that are even older than that.

Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, absolute monarch over France in the late 1600’s, had an appreciation for a style of art and design that would reflect his importance. Furnishings created during his period are unencumbered by design constraints and exhibit rich and bold decoration. One piece of furniture that appeared during this period is the Gibier table or French game table. These tables are typically marble-topped and would stand against a wall as a presentation piece. Game was to be presented before cooking to the guests of honor

Our gibier table has a deep rouge marble with white and gray veining throughout and canted edges. The apron below is carved on three sides, while the back side has been left uncarved, indicating this table would be placed against a wall. The carvings on the front side apron include a diaper pattern of lozenges, flowing acanthus leaves, and an elongated shield-shaped cartouche. The two side aprons have very similar carvings, but each panel has a pull-out drawer. The shoulders of the three carved sides have joints of foliate rosettes.

There are four intricately carved baluster feet that have volute knees with scallop shell and acanthus carvings towards the bottom. Beneath the shells are highly detailed ball and claw feet. The front two legs are carved all the way around, while the rear legs are carved on all sides except the back. Beneath these are block feet with floral motif. A shapely serpentine x-stretcher merges in the center with a large floral rosette.

This French console table, with it’s rectilinear shaped baluster legs exudes an important stance and is complimented by a plethora of delicate and well executed carvings of floral motifs and unique ball and claw feet. You can use this lovely table as a console table in just about any room of a house. less