A pair of carved giltwood console tables attributed to Georges Jacob Louis XVI, circa 1780

each of demi-lune form, with a brèche violette marble top above a frieze carved with guilloche enclosing flowerheads, on downward scrolled legs carved with laurel and acanthus leaves joined by a shaped stretcher centred by a neo-classical baluster vase draped with floral swags on inverted pinecone feet

In very good conserved condition. The gilding is two -tone which is not apparent from teh catalogue photograph.These can be placed immediately. Superb quality carving with some very minor restorations to the floral swags on the stretcher. Some refreshment to the gilded decoration. There are small construction cracks at the joints which are hardly noticeable commensurate with age. Old very minor marks, chips and scratches to the carved and gilded decoration throughout consistent with age and use. A most attractive pair with beautiful detail to the carving.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Michel Beurdeley, Georges Jacob (1739-1814) et Son Temps, St.  Rémy-en-L'Eau, 2002, p. 27, for a related white painted demi-lune console table with different carving on scrolled supports and with a neo-classical urn on the stretcher, delivered by Jacob to Marie Fortunée d' Este-Modène for her salon in the hôtel de la Rue Saint-Dominique.
Svend Eriksen, Early Neo-classicism in France, London, 1974, plates 397 and  409.
Seymour de Ricci, Louis XVI Furniture, Stuttgart, p. 71, for a related console table, Musée Condé, Chantilly.

This pair of console tables with the guilloche carved frieze, inward scrolled legs and neo-classical flower draped urn on an x–form stretcher is reminiscent of two designs, illustrated by Eriksen, op. cit., plates 397 and 409.

The former is a drawing attributed to Mathurin Chapitel, circa 1765, which was proposed for the Hôtel d'Uzès, although of demi-lune form and with a flower-festooned urn on the stretcher, the legs are tapering and spirally fluted, reproduced here in fig.1. Another closely related design is for a console table for the Royal Palace at Warsaw, to be executed in polished steel and bronze, illustrated by Eriksen, op. cit., fig. 409, which is attributed to Prieur, circa 1766.

With their foliate carved voluted legs and shaped stretcher surmounted by a neo-classical urn, this pair relates to a distinctive group of console tables delivered in 1785 by Georges Jacob (received Master 1765) to Monsieur the comte de Provence, the brother of  Louis XVI, who was his most important client.The aforementioned group of console tables are listed in the inventory Mémoire des ouvrages faits pour le service du Garde-Meuble de Monsieur; frère du Roi sous les ordres de Monsieur de Bard par Jacob, Menuisier en meubles, rue Meslée, le 17 October,' discussed by Hector Lefuel, Georges Jacob Ebéniste du XVIIIème Siècle, Paris, 1923.

Various related examples have been sold at auction-see lot 59, Christie's, London, 13^th June 1991, for a demi-lune table stamped Jacob with scrolled front supports on four tapering fluted legs with a vase on the stretcher.  A related giltwood console table stated to be possibly by Georges Jacob, was sold as lot 49, Christie's, New York, 24th May 2001. See also a giltwood console table stamped by Georges Jacob sold from the Lagerfeld Collection, lot 8, Christie's, Monaco, 28th & 29th April 2000.

Georges Jacob received Master 1765.