Antique Hand Carved Phoenix & Dragon w. Large Mirror Side Table Entry Hall Stand
By Gabriel Viardot
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare large and extremely sculptural wall table with marble inlay and beveled mirror.
If you are appreciative of rare and sculptural antiques then this large mirror / side table could be exactly what you are looking for. The quality and the patina of the large, fighting phoenix bird and dragon frame is second to none and for it to be in such good condition is truly amazing. It takes a special craftsman and artist to create such a piece, the type that you simply don't find anymore in this day and age. Because of the subject matter and the great quality, the first name that comes to mind would be that of master sculptor Gabriel Viardot. However, Viardot virtually made all of his dragon sculptures in the Chinoiserie style and this piece is clearly more European. In terms of the quality of the carvings, whomever created this unique piece of furniture certainly was no less artistic or skilled as Viardot, because this piece really is among the best you will ever see. The way in which this hand carved wooden phoenix is holding the shield-like beveled mirror in its claws and the way the dragon seems to try to fend off the enormous and fierce phoenix is both dramatic and impressive at the same time and it will never seize to amaze you or anyone visiting. Especially when you see the detailed carvings and the true size of this work of beauty in real life, you will be stunned. By the way, we learned that in imperial China, the dragon and the phoenix were respectively associated with the Emperor and the Empress...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Antique Purpleheart Mirrors
