Swedish Gustavian Marble Top Egyptian Pharaoh Mask Pier Table Circa 1820

A VERY FINE EMPIRE POLYCHROMED MARBLE-TOP PIER CONSOLE TABLE IN THE EGYPTIAN TASTE
Sweden, circa 1810-1820 | with early green and pearl painted elements against parcel-gilding
Item # 312DJG08W
A remarkable and visually compelling pier table of the Empire period, it is almost certainly a product of the Swedish Gustavian movement and was executed during the first quarter of the 19th century circa 1810-20. The distinct neo-Egyptian form captures the perfect intersection between rich surface development and austere clean lines, the result being a streamlined and incredibly powerful pier table with an understated aesthetic. The interplay between the layers of various colors and textures in the table is most compelling and allows the subtlety of the design to come through without being overwhelming.

An overall rectangular form intended for placement against a wall with an unfinished back, it features a white Cararra marble recessed into a gilded rim rubbed through to reveal the underlying red bole and white gesso coming through in the lower layers of the finish. This rim projects over a repeating border of cove-molded raised-relief carved tulips and three-leaf foliage over an apron decorated with layered fish-scales finished in a pearl pigment.

Raising this superstructure is a series of four columns culminating in Pharaoah masks with gilded headdresses and anthemion relief on their shoulders, the rest of the face and column finished in a pearl pigment. The lower portion of each column is decorated with a checkered baluster, the size of each checker graduating in proportion with the taper of the column over a gilded ring turning in the ankle and a fluted footer.

The columns are stretched with a stepped plateau with various levels of squared stepping, this retaining a quite old green paint with open dovetailed joints in the back corners and the hints of a dovetailed joint in the front corner beneath the layers of paint.

Measurements: 30 3/4″ H x 16 5/8″ D x 34 1/4″ W
Condition Report:
Paint and gilt decoration refreshed throughout at some point during the 20th century, including touchups to losses on the edges and corners o f the lower plateau and gilding; light wear throughout, oxidization, chipping and other blemishes of a historical surface; shrinkage crack down the center of the bottom shelf (not impacting structure in any way) and hairline shrinkage cracks visible in some columns; minor stains to the marble top; marble top is old and possibly original to the table with various markings and notations in script to the underside. A fine ready-to-place presentation.