Ormolu Tables

Mid 20th century Empire style leather top desk constructed with hardwood and burl wood veneers featuring ormolu, three drawers and stretcher.  

Early 19th century Empire mahogany center table with grey dish marble top, ormolu mounts and paw feet.

A scarce period Charles X (1818-1834) French Restoration mahogany travailleuse sewing (thread stand - side table - jewelry dressing table) with light, warm, beautifully aged patina. Born in France in the early 19th century, almost certainly Parisian work, exquisitely hand-crafted, this exceptionally executed example features ornate gilt bronze ormolu mounts, escutcheons, and elaborate gilt metal trim. Having a highly figured light mahogany hinged lid top, lifting open to reveal a striking finished interior with divided compartments and original inset mirror plate. The conforming rectangular case fitted with a faux drawer front over a dovetailed drawer with sectioned interior. Elegantly rising on oval-shaped medial shelf stretcher-joined curvacious legs. Dimensions (approx): 27" High, 20" Wide, 13.5" Deep Stunning light almost blonde antique mahogany coloring and mellow warm tone, superb wood grain detail, and charming, beautifully aged patina over the whole. Great shape overall. Retaining original antique character marks, wear consistent with age and indicative of minimal use, nothing that detracts from the aesthetics or functionality, but only adds to the overall authenticity, refined elegant warmth, luxurious sophistication, and cozy unpretentious rustic elegance. Delivered cleaned, hand waxed, polished French patina finish, ready for immediate use and generational enjoyment! What is Charles X style: The comte d’Artois – or Charles X - was the son of the dauphin Louis-Ferdinand de Franc and Marie-Josèphe de Saxe. He succeeded his two brothers Louis XVI and Louis XVIII and became the King of France in 1824. Thirty years after the French Revolution, he wanted to embody the return of monarchy and became the leader of the catholic party . As the previous kings, he was crowned in 1825 but he was soon overthrown by the revolution in July, 1830, called "Trois Glorieuses". He left then for England, Scotland, Prague and Istria where he died in 1836. Charles X style lasted from 1818 to 1834 and happened during the Bourbon Restoration (French Restoration). This style did not replace totally the style of furniture from the French Empire but it was different from the formalism in the Napoleonic era, during which strictness and simplicity were inspired by Greco-Roman art. Indeed, artistic fields flourished. In terms of furniture, this renewal was suggested by the softening of shapes. Even though the simple aspect from the French Empire was still visible, shapes became curvier with volutes and arabesques. Another distinction is the loss of the massive aspect of furniture and the decrease of dimensions in order to decorate smaller appartments. Handling ability and comfort were key-words in the making of furniture. Apartments had essential elements such as chests of drawers, big rounded tables in the dining room, desks or secretaries, armoires and even dressing tables, comfortable fainting couches in the living room, small tables, pedestal tables, as well as gondola chairs. The wavy aspect of the latters certainly represent Charles X style the best.  One of the most emblematic features of this style is the use of bois clairs – light woods in warm blond tones - and indigenous woods that are varnished in order to highlight the grains. Bird's-eye maple, ash trees, plane trees, yew trees, beech trees, olive trees and cedar trees were most likely to be used. Indeed, at the beginning of the 19th century dark woods were hard to find. In 1806, the Napoleon’s Continental System was established in order to ruin the United Kingdom by preventing the country from any business with the rest of Europe. Therefore craftsmen had to find alternatives from mahogany which was the most commonly used material at this time. After 1815, the import of wood was even more difficult because of peace treaties and the European political situation, which contributed to the popularity of the bois clairs and indigenous woods. The furniture was often decorated with fine inlays made out of dark wood representing foliage, which contrasted with the veneer. Even though these patterns can look like bronze decorations from the Empire era,  they were far more simple and did not represent any military or mythological attributes. On the tables, trays were sometimes made out of marble as in the French Empire, but it was often put aside and inlaid veneer, Verre Eglomisé – a type of glass with a mirror finish –, mirror or porcelain from Sèvres or Paris were more likely to be used. Decorative elements from the Monarchy were highly appreciated again as they suggested luxury. Indeed, marquetry work was particularly fashionable - Boulle marquetry thrived around 1820 as the works of the Levasseur family can show. In the same way, draperies and trimmings referred to the monarchist splendour. Fabrics were often white – the traditional colour of the Bourbons – or light coloured as oppposed to the typical green from the Napoleonic era.  One of the most symbolic figures from this period of time might be Jean-Jacques Werner (1791-1849), a cabinetmaker who worked for prestigious clients such as the Duchesse de Berry who was Charles’s step-daughter. His works can be seen at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and at the Grand Trianon in the Palace of Versailles. The duchess’s appartments situated at the pavillon de Marsan and at the Palais de Saint Cloud illustrate Charles X style the best with furniture made out of bois clairs and ornamented with dark wood patterns or fine gold decorations. Chales X style allows a transition between the sobriety of the Empire style and the abundant aspect of Louis-Philippe style. The gothic style started at this time through the "style à la cathédrale", inspired by religious architecture, which thrived from 1827 to 1830. Indeed, at the beginning of the 19th century, Romanticism put the spotlight on the Middle Ages. Cabinetmakers were not inspired by the medieval furniture but rather by architectural elements of churches and cathedrals. For instance the backs of chairs were decorated with arches shaped like rib and serration. In the same way, before Charles X abdicated, pieces of furniture were made out of dark woods – such as mahogany, which was used again in France – and were inlaid with light wood. Romanticism also influenced the layout of furniture in appartments to suggest movement through a mix of various styles, various shapes and various sizes, as opposed to the static aspect of Neoclassicism. The start of industrialisation and mechanisation also influenced this style as early technical developments led to the production of pieces of furniture in series. Credit: Marc Maison Bibliography: FANIEL Stéphane (Dir.), Le Dix-neuvième Siècle Français, Collection Connaissance des Arts, 1957, Hachette SASSONE, Adriana Boidi, Furniture from Rococo to Art Deco, 2000, Evergreen -- Extremely versatile: As warm and attractive as it is useful, this remarkable antique table having the ideal size and small proportions for a variety of different uses, including as a side table, accent or occasional table, tall sofa...

This is a stylish antique Swedish birch Biedermeier sofa table with ebonized detail, circa 1820 in date. The table features a rectangular top w...

A large French Empire style gilt-bronze and malachite centre table. French, 20th century. Height: 85cm, width: 160cm, depth: 79cm This superb table, a grand and highly impressiv...

A Fine French 19th/20th Century Louis XV Style Tulipwood Marquetry and Gilt-Bronze Mounted Ladies Writing Table or Desk. The single drawer center table surmounted on each corner with...

An Elegant Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood Dressing Table In the Louis XV Style Attributed to Paul Sormani A superb example of late 19th century 'mobilier de luxe,' this tulipwood-veneere...

Gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain Louis XVI style casket on stand This magnificent Louis XVI style ormolu casket is supported by a mirror-topped table stand, which sits on four tapered, fluted legs connected by a curving X-form stretcher. In the centre of this stretcher is an ormolu urn decorated with rams heads, four hoof feet and birds on the top. The legs of the table are also ornately decorated with draped garlands and scrolled detailing. The apron is inset with Sèvres style porcelain plaques depicting scenes of cherubs and children in landscapes as well as decorative floral detailing, and is surmounted with laurel leaf mounts. The casket itself is of oval architectural form, and is set on fourteen small feet. It features further porcelain plaques depicting cherubs, musical instruments and a central oval portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette within a crowned gilt cartouche. Her portrait is flanked by two cherubs and is sat within a decorative royal blue border, matching the turquoise colored borders of the other plaques. The reverse of the casket is similarly decorated and features a painted plaque of her husband King Louis XVI. The plaques are separated by mounted ormolu columns decorated with crowns and draped laurel leaves, and each column is surmounted by floral crowns. Each curved side of the casket features an ormolu mask of a female figure, and the hinged lid is surmounted by two reclining female figures wearing draped dresses and holding a central crown. The casket opens at the lid to reveal a velvet interior. There is an inscription below the portrait of Marie Antoinette which spuriously reads ‘This casket formerly property of Marie Antoinette, presented to my beloved wife as souvenir of our European tour / Sept 8th 1886 / Louis L...

A stunning vintage French gilt ormolu oval mirror vanity or bar tray, circa 1950. This beautiful tray is a nice large oval size surrounded by a gorgeous floral gallery with ornate ha...

A French Antique Ormolu-Mounted mahogany envelope games card table, C. 1870, attributed to Henry Dasson. A very elegant and high quality, French Louis XVI style, mahogany and bro...

French Mid-Century (1940s) ormolu mounted ebonized dining table with rectangular top inlaid with center glazed tiles depicting figures and horses. (Attributed to PIERRE LARDIN; tiles...

A fine Boston Federal game table in mahogany with fire gilded bronze doré ormolu mounts in the corners of the apron and original brass paw foot casters. Carving is well articulated and form is reminiscent of Federal Boston cabinet maker Isaac Vose...

Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat/Desk, Louis XV period 3 working drawers on one side. Back side has 3 false drawers Circa, 1760 with one Key It's Old leather top in Useable but h...

A gilt-bronze and malachite Empire-style 'Aux Caryatides' centre table after Desmalter French, 20th Century Height: 82cm, diameter: 109cm This ma...

Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted Mahogany and Tulipwood Parquetry Writing Table, after the model by Jean-Henri Riesener, late 19th century, the parquetry inlaid top with a three-quarte...

An elegant French 19th century Louis XV st. Rosewood, Kingwood, Tulipwood, ormolu, and Incarnat Turquin marble desk. The three drawer desk is raised by slender cabriole legs with fin...

A very fine pair of antique French Louis XV style gilt bronze ormolu mounted mahogany tiered side tables with breccia violetta marble tops. circa 1900 ...

A beautiful French turn of the century Louis XVI St. Mahogany and ormolu dining table. The table is raised by six elegant square tapered fluted legs and one central square tapered le...

A Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany, Tulipwood and Gilt-Bronze (Ormolu) Mounted Belle Époque Guéridon Circular Side-Table with a Parquetry Top, by François Linke (1855-1946). The single-drawer end table inset with a symmetrical parquetry top an ormolu frieze, the apron with bow-tied swagged floral wreaths, the corners with fruit and acorns ormolu mounts, raised on four tapered legs topped with chased rings and inset spigots, all raised on bell-shaped sabots. Signed on top trim: F. Linke. Circa: Paris, 1890-1900. François Linke (1855-1946) was one of the most celebrated ébénistes of his time. Born in Pankraz, Bohemia, Linke moved to Paris in 1875 and six years later established independent ateliers at 170, rue de Faubourg St. Antoine. As was the practice among contemporaries and noteworthy predecessors, such as Alfred Beurdeley and Henry Dasson, Linke initially produced furniture derived from styles popular during the 18th century ancien régime. By 1900, his worldwide reputation as an individualistic master of high quality furniture was already established. However, with a huge display, placing his extravagant pieces in room settings and winning the Médaille d'Or for his Grand Bureau...

This colorful pedestal clock has been crafted from fine red marble and green onyx, and beautifully decorated with gilt bronze (ormolu) and champlevé enamel. While a popular crafts material in ancient times, onyx was largely forgotten about until its rediscovery in the mid-19th century in Algeria by a French marble-worker called Delmonte. Onyx became highly fashionable in France following this discovery, and it was used to create a variety of decorative art objects. The clock features a green onyx cube-shaped case, which is surmounted by a slightly projecting red marble top. This top is fringed with champlevé enamel drapery-like motifs, with gilt bronze drop-finials. The case is mounted on its front with a circular dial, which features a central floral champlevé enamel motif, encircled by black Arabic Numerals. This dial is set within a gilt bronze egg-and-dart and champlevé enamel bezel. The sides of the case are mounted with circular gilt bronze barometers...

This is a beautiful antique French Louis XV Revival hardwood, Sevres style porcelain and ormolu mounted occasional / work table, circa 1860 in date. The table is of serpentine outli...

A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Flame Mahogany and Ormolu center table. This stunning table is raised on a triangular base with concave sides and...

A stunning and most impressive French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and white Carrara marble coffee table. This beautiful rectangular coffee table is raised on four square tapered Caryatid like legs decorated with cherubs dressed...

A Palatial very fine and rare pair of French 19th century Louis XV style Ormolu and Malachite Pedestal side tables, attributed to Frédéric-Eugène Piat (French, 1827-1903), the bronze...

An extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Bleu de Savoie marble, Brass and Ormolu side table, signed Durand. This wonderful table is raised on Ormolu cast...

A very good quality 19th century Louis XV style bureau plat, having an inset leather top, gilded ormolu mounts, three frieze drawers to one side, d...

A very fine French 19th-20th century Louis XVI style mahogany and gilt bronze (Ormolu) mounted guéridon side table with marble top, attributed to François Linke, (1855-1946). The sin...

Antique writing table by Beurdeley after a model by Adam Weisweiler French, c. 1880 Height 74cm, width 83cm, depth 46cm Crafted by the prestigious 19th century furniture makers Beu...

An impressive and most decorative French 19th century Empire St. mahogany and ormolu center table. The circular table is raised by fine bun feet below elegant scrolled legs with hand...

Antique Empire mahogany and birch salesman sample chest of drawers, circa 1820. With a rectangular birch top, a protruding frieze drawer, two larger lower...

We delight to offer sell this stunning large French Empire style walnut desk having a gilt tooled green leather top with a ormolu edge and scrolling mounts flanked by an arrangement ...

The exquisite art of pietre dure is at its absolute finest in this spectacular pair of Russian ormolu and malachite plinths. True works of art of the Restauration period, these plinths each feature a matching pietre dure mosaic crafted of the finest stones, all chosen to create a sense of depth and dimensionality in the final work. Depicting an onyx vase with tulips, roses, daffodils, magnolia and other flowers, these pietre dure panels are among the finest examples of this ancient art we have seen. The pietre dure is complemented by malachite panels of the highest quality, exhibiting exceptional depth through its extraordinary cellular structure. Malachite is one of Russia’s most precious stones, and its presence in these plinths indicates commission and ownership by an individual of considerable status. Mounted in an excellent stepped ormolu base, these plinths originally served as bases for vases or candelabra. The overall execution and appearance of these plinths is very characteristic of the taste associated with the immensely wealthy collector Nicolas Demidoff. As early as 1806, Demidoff had commissioned the Parisian goldsmith Henri August to supply a guéridon; in 1819, he ordered famed French bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire to supply mounts for a massive malachite vase (now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York), as well as a console table with legs in the form of Nike. Other commissions included a table given as a gift to Grand Duke Leopoldo II of Florence, now in the Pitti Palace. Demidoff eventually settled in Florence in 1822 and became Russian minister to the Tuscan Court. Elevated to the rank of Count of San Donato by the Grand Duke, he built a magnificent villa at San Donato on the site of lands formerly owned by the Medici. The villa was later inherited by Anatole, his son, Prince of San Donato, and there are records which confirm transactions he had with the Opificio delle Pietre Dure. The 19th century proved to be the golden age of Russian malachite. The stone became a sign of prestige and a token of wealth, so much so that Russian papers of the time wrote: "To afford having a big piece wrought in malachite is synonymous to owning diamonds." Year after year the Russian (Romanov) treasury paid increasingly unreasonable prices to hoard the best malachite, much of which went into Romanov palaces and extravagant objets d'art. The Hermitage Museum possesses a collection of over two hundred examples of this “palatial” malachite...

This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, circa 1870 in date. The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very...

This beautiful desk, beautifully finished in kingwood, leather and gilt bronze, is a fantastic piece of 19th century French design in the Louis XV style. Elegant, beautifully crafted...

English Victorian style mahogany roll top desk that opens to reveal drawers, letter holders, and a gold embossed leather desk surface, with a gilt bronze filigree...

A Renaissance Revival Style Ormolu Mounted Burlwood Side Table Measures 24.25" in width , 24.25" in width, 29.5" in height.

A very fine and substantial centre table in the Louis XVI in the Manner of Holland & Sons Of exceptional quality, utilising beautifully grained woods, including Circassian walnut,...

An impressive French 19th century 1st Empire period Mahogany, ormolu, giltwood, and Vert de Patricia marble console circa 1805. The freestanding two tiered console is raised by elega...

A Fantastic Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Louis XV Style Kingwood Center Table By François Linke François Linke With serpentine-grey and yellow marble top, above a frieze ...

A handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble center table. The rectangular two drawer table is raised by curved statement making legs with an exceptional deer leg...

A fine French 19th century gilt-bronze (Ormolu) mounted, mahogany and tulipwood marquetry oval Gueridon (side) table with marble top, attributed to François Linke (1855-1946). The in...

A large and impressive Empire style Gilt Bronze & Malachite center table. The table features a circular top, which has been beautifully inlaid with malachite and edged with gilt bron...

A beautiful and high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. Kingwood, Tulipwood, and Ormolu side table. This wonderful kidney shaped freestanding side table is raised on four finel...

An exquisite Louis XVI style four-tier étagère, crafted in France and embodying the refined neoclassical elegance of the period. This sophisticated piece features a rare green-veined...

A Fine Pair of French 19th/20th Century Empire Revival Style Exotic Mahogany Marquetry and Gilt-Bronze Wall Mounting Demi-Lune Consoles fitted with green d'Alps marble tops, attribut...

A striking and very elegant French turn of the century Empire st. flamed Mahogany and ormolu dining table. The table is raised by six elegant and impressive lightly tapered circular ...

An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. Tulipwood, Kingwood and Ormolu side table/desk. This wonderful kidney shaped table is raised on cabriole legs displaying ...

A remarkable ladies dressing table made by the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. of London for his Highness Nawab Sir Sadiq Mohammed Khan Abbasi the V of Bahawalpur. Constructed in mahogany in the form of a kneehole desk with a modesty screen, rising from Chippendale style carved bracket feet, the banks of pedestals fitted with lockable faux drawers to the left, concealing a safe, and drawers to the right, fitted with ormolu chased swan neck handles; the lockable and hinged panelled top rising to reveal an adjustable triptych bevelled dressing mirror, with provisions for a pair of scallop shaded electrical lights, and having an enclosed body, fitted with an array of cut-glass unguent bottles, all with silver tops, Hall marked for 1929/30, enamelled with an Art Deco design, and bearing wonderfully detailed portraits of His Highness in regal dress...

A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. kingwood and ormolu desk, attributed to François Linke. The desk is raised by elegant cabriole legs with fitted...

A striking and most impressive French 19th century 1st Empire period mahogany, brass, ormolu, and white Carrara marble console. The freestanding console is raised by a thick bottom t...

A beautiful pair of antique French marble top wine tables, dating from around the 1930’s period. The quality is outstanding and they are a very useful size. The marble tops have gor...

A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. Kingwood and Ormolu desk, in the style of François Linke. The exceptional desk is raised by elegant cabriole le...

Antique French Louis XVI Wood Marble Ormolu Gold Brown Guéridon Side Table French, Late 19th Century Height 73cm, diameter 37cm This beautifully proportioned guéridon table, cra...

A stunning and most unique pair of French late 19th century Louis XVI st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu centerpieces. Each wonderful centerpiece is raised on circular cut Baccarat Crys...

French 1940s ormolu mounted maple writing desk with leather inset top above 2 frieze drawers on lyre form trestle supports. (attributed to ANDRE ARBUS)

An Important Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Mounted Parquetry Pedestal Desk, By Guillaume Grohé. France, Circa 1860. Stamped to the top edge of one door 'GROHE FRERES...

This is a beautiful antique French Louis Revival circular centre table with ornate ormolu decoration typical of the Louis XIV period, circa 1870 in date. The inset marble top has a ...

A French Ormolu-Mounted Kingwood and Vernis Martin Marble Top Console Table / Buffet, circa 1880, in the style of Henry Dasson. Crafted from rich Kingwood in the 19th century, this ...

A most handsome French 19th century Empire st. crouch mahogany, ormolu, and Coquillier de Bilbao marble center table. The circular table is raised by three elegant square tapered leg...

French Louis XVI style ormolu mounted carved mahogany marble top desserte early 20th century, the brass galleried, oval Breche d’alps tan marble top on four reeded cabriole supports ...