Console in carved and gilt wood with twig and foliage patterns 

France, first quarter of the 18th century, circa 1715
Carved and gilt wood  
Rouge royal Marble 

This very fine console is richly carved with a bowed front, rounded fore corners and splayed serpentine sides, the frieze is supported by two reserve scrolled feet carved with foliage, gadroons and ears of wheat, joined by a serpentine shell centered stretcher, rising to a foliated branch. 

The centre of the frieze is carved with a pierced flower head framed with leaves.  

History and specificity of the consoles during the reign of Louis XIV 

Categorised as a carpentry furniture, the console table is above all an architectural piece of furniture in which the art of gilt wood has particularly flourished. Born at the end of the 17th century, it accompanied the apparition of large overmantels and settled lastingly throughout the next century in the interior decoration. Originally a fixed element of the panelling, it was created for a specific location, most often at the gap of de window or or on the side of a fireplace with matching marbles; it was an exhibition space for objects of collection: statues of bronze, precious vases, etc.  

If the first consoles were created during the reign of Louis XIV, presenting pedestals in ? or sleeve shape, the latter having tendencies to take sinuous shapes in the last years of the 17th century as illustrated in this console. 

Clearly designed to be applied to the wall and to be seen from the front, this console is richly adorned with feminine’s sculpture with feathered headdresses on the front.  

Today separated from its original space, it bears witness to the creative verve which took over the ornementalist sculptors in this domain. Its creation comes from the activity of architects, ornementalists and sculptors.  

Bibliography :

  • Daniel Alcouffe, Yves Carlier, Gérard Mabille, 18e aux sources du design, chefs‑d’œuvre du mobilier 1650–1790, Dijon, Éditions Faton, 2014. 
  • Bill G.B. Pallot, L’Art du siège au xviiie siècle en France, Paris, A.C.R. Gismondi, 1987. 
  • Bill G.B. Pallot, Le Mobilier du musée du Louvre, volume II, Siège et consoles (menuiserie) xviie et xviiie siècles, Paris, Éditions Faton, 1993. 
  • Anne-Marie Quette, Le Mobilier français Louis XIII-Louis XIV, Paris, Éditions Massin, 1996. 

Measurements: 

  • Height: 79 cm – 31 inches            
  • Width: 120 cm – 47 ¼ inches       

Depth: 55 cm – 22 ¾ inches  

    Dimensions

    • Hauteur : 79 cm – 31 inches
    • Largeur : 120 cm – 47 1⁄4 inches
    • Profondeur : 55 cm – 22 3⁄4 inches

    Bibliographie

    • Daniel Alcouffe, Yves Carlier, Gérard Mabille, 18e aux sources du design, chefs‑d’œuvre du mobilier 1650–1790, Dijon, Éditions Faton, 2014.
    • Bill G.B. Pallot, L’Art du siège au XVIIIe siècle en France, Paris, A.C.R. Gismondi, 1987.
    • Bill G.B. Pallot, Le Mobilier du musée du Louvre, volume II, Siège et consoles (menuiserie)
    • XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, Paris, Éditions Faton, 1993.
    • Anne-Marie Quette, Le Mobilier français Louis XIII-Louis XIV, Paris, Éditions Massin, 1996.