Rare 19C French Napoleon III Ebonized Marquetry, Porcelain Gilt Bronze Guéridon

French, circa 1870–1880

A rare and highly decorative French Napoleon III guéridon, crafted in ebonized wood and richly mounted with gilt bronze.

The circular top is centered by a large recessed hand-painted porcelain charger decorated with a colorful floral bouquet. The porcelain is surrounded by an elaborate band of polychrome wood marquetry in red, green, golden-brown, and pale woods, finely inlaid against the black ebonized ground.

The table is raised on four curved legs headed by finely cast gilt-bronze hound heads and joined by decorative suspended chains. Each leg terminates in a gilt-bronze cloven-hoof-form sabot.

The legs are connected by a shaped lower stretcher shelf in contrasting brown and ebonized wood, centered by a large gilt-bronze finial.

An exceptionally original and visually striking example of French Napoleon III furniture, combining colorful wood marquetry, painted porcelain, ebonized wood, and elaborate animal-form gilt-bronze mounts.

Dimensions:

Height: 30 in. (76.2 cm)

Diameter: 18 in. (45.7 cm)

Width: 22 in. (55.9 cm)

Condition:

Very good antique condition. The wooden surfaces have been professionally refinished. The gilt bronze mounts professionally cleaned. Minor age-appropriate wear and light surface wear to the porcelain.