A beautiful inexact pair of rosewood (Kingwood) marquetry and marble petit side tables dating from the nineteenth century, France. These kidney-shaped tables both feature a red and yellow marble top with a slight gallery around the rim. Each has a single drawer which slides open easily and a pull-out tray above with embossed leather to hold a candle or oil lamp. One of the leather trays is embossed with a fleur-de-lis border.
The other features red and black leather with a simple gilded and embossed fleur-de-lis border. In the Louis XV-taste the tables feature four dainty cabriole legs connected by a kidney-shaped shelf. The feet are adorned with brass acanthus leaf decorations. These tables were reverse collected by a passionate antique collector in the south of France, and will add symmetry as bedside tables in a guestroom or on either side of a seating area.
Quite elegant in form, an extra coat of wax would bring out further the warm and rich honey tones of the marquetry. As an idea for consistency, the front feet could keep the brass acanthus leaf decorative accents, and the decorative accents on the back two legs could be removed. One has been re-glued. Note minimal wormwood marks can be seen on the pull out trays. Some losses, refer to photos.
Condition and wear consistent with age and use.
Each measures approx. overall 27¼" high x 18" wide x 12½" deep
Each measures approx. overall 69cm high x 46cm wide x 32cm deep
