A white painted and parcel-gilt carved console table with the inventory marks of the Palais des Tuileries Restauration, circa 1820

with a rectangular mottled white marble top, above a frieze centred by a flowerhead in a roundel flanked by bell-flowers and foliage, with a flowerhead and roundel at each corner, above front supports in the form of Doric columns with lotus leaf-carved capitals, the base carved with acanthus and lotus leaves, joined by a platform stretcher; the underside with the inventory marks probably from the Palais des Tuileries 2675, 13873, ...38 and C138  ; with a printed paper label:'Mobilier de Messrs. Le duc de Frioul N. de l'inventaire 77 Rez de Chaussee 3. salon un console sculpte', and stamped with  with a TH and three lilies beneath the front frieze

Duroc (Géraud Christophe Michel Duc de Frioul), général français à Pont-à-Mousson (1772-1813), grand maréchal du palais sous l'Empire.
Sold as lot 116, in these Rooms, 10th June 1998.

 

Old very minor marks, chips and scratches to marble, which is slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean. There are minor chips and areas of wear to the decoration, as visible from photograph. There are some hairline cracks generally, commensurate with age. There is a later support at the back, beneath the top and a later rectangular section of wood attached to the back of the frieze to support the marble top. In otherwise good condition. Good provenance. To discuss this lot in greater detail please call Edward Rising or David Macdonald on 0207 293 5507 or 0207 293 5107.
"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:
D.Ledoux-Lebard, Le Grand Trianon, Vol I, Edition des Musées Nationaux, Paris, 1975, p. 123, for sixteen white painted and parcel-gilded console tables with similar carving on the frieze but less elaborately carved legs by Marcion which were originally placed in the galerie of the Trianon in 1810. 

This console table is very much in the manner of Pierre Benoit Marcion, who was active from 1798 to 1817 and was, together with Jacob, one of the principal furnishers of the Garde Meuble impérial and he was responsible for the furniture in the Petit Trianon, Pavilion du Mail, the pavilions of Bagatelle and Monceaux and for some of the furniture in the Grand Trianon.