This captivating George I gilt-wood and gilt-gesso console table exhibits magnificent style and artistry in the manner of the renowned William Kent. A work of masterful detailing and balance, this table boasts the Rococo-inspired Palladian style that developed under George I. Topped by beautifully moulded grey Bardiglio marble, the two-legged table is adorned with bold decorative elements, from the life-like acanthus leaves, center scallop shell and pounced background on the cavetto frieze to the grotesque masks on the cabriole legs, which stand upon lionâ??s paw feet, and a matching scallop shell on the classical plinth.
First created by cabinet-maker William Kent to complement the Italianate â??Palladianâ?? architectural style, Palladian furniture was ornate and monumental with lavish carving and golden ornamentation. Intensely sculptural, this style made much use of elaborate decorative elements such as pediments, masks, and sphinxes and various other sculpture forms inspired by the ancient world. Although the Palladian style incorporated Rococo forms, it was dominated by the sense of architectural balance and restraint that came to define Georgian furniture.
Features an inventory label â??D2005â??
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Circa 1740
41 ¾â?? wide x 20 ½â?? deep x 31 ¼â?? high
The console table reached the height of fashion during the Louis XV period and, in keeping with decorating dictates, they were often considered more a part of the architecture than merely a piece of furniture. As a rule, it was believed that no single element of the 18th-century interior should be considered on its own. Every element from upholstery to hardware served to unify the design of the room. A console table, then, was considered an integral part of the wall and of the entire room.
