A gilt-bronze-mounted mahogany guéridon table attributed to Adam Weisweiler Louis XVI, late 18th Century

with a later circular Egyptian green porphyry top with a gilt-bronze border on three inverted reeded baluster legs with gilt-bronze milled collars, joined by a pierced stretcher on tapering legs, terminating in inverted milled leaf-cast flattened bun feet, on castors, with an 18th century label beneath the top with a partly illegible inscription in ink possibly  (...) Balby; marble top restored; originally with a lifting circular mahogany tray top and central pillar; central part of stretcher altered

Colour of top slightly lighter and wood less orange and more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. Some minor rubbing to the gilt-bronze which is slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. Very chic model in overall good restored condition.
"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."

A very similar guéridon has been sold at Sotheby's, New York, on the 20^th November 2003, lot 261. Both of these tables belong to a group of guéridon or tea tables including game boards (sometimes several of them  were superimposed) with elaborate stretchers, (see P. Lemmonier, Weisweiler, Paris, 1983, pp. 92-99). The uniqueness of this table rests in the originality of the balustraded legs decorated by ribbing. 

The Marquis de Caumont-LaForce, father of the future Madame de Balbi (or Balby according to a possible spelling in the eighteenth century) occupied at Court the office of First gentleman of the Bedchamber of the Comte de Provence and brother of Louis XVI. On 6th May 1776, Madame de Balbi married Marie François Armand de Balbi, 1752-1835, the grandson of a Doge of Genoa. The Countess of Balbi very quickly became the muse if not the mistress of the Comte de Provence and was installed in all the royal residences, and she was also was offered the use of  a pavilion built by Chalgrin on the edge of the park of Versailles. At the time of the Revolution, Madame de Balbi took refuge in Coblenz where she reigned  almost as a queen. Back in France in 1802,  she firstly lived in Montauban and then moved to Paris and finally to Versailles where she held a salon throughout the Restoration. She died at Versailles in 1842. It is interesting to notice that Madame de Balbi owed the sum of 1122 pounds to the marchand-mercier Dominique Daguerre during the Revolution (ANMC, XXXVI, 633 ; mentioned  by P. Lemonnier, op.cit.)