A burr oak and gilt-bronze centre table by Escalier de Cristal

with a rectangular Corsican orbiculaire marble top, stamped ESCALIER DE CRISTAL with a marque au fer

In very good condition, restored. The gilt with minor wear and surface marks.
"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."

L'Escalier de Cristal:
The company was first established in 1802 by Madame Désarnaud. She exhibited at the Exposition Nationale in the Louvre in 1819. The business was based in the Palais Royal and it was the first manufacturer to mount crystal objects with gilt-bronze. L' Escalier supplied lamps, vases, clocks and other objets d'art to most of the aristocratic European families. The firm was appointed fournisseur breveté du Roi in 1819 as well as to the Duc de Berry and the garde meuble de la Couronne. In 1872, the business was acquired by Emile Pannier and moved from their Palais Royal Galleries to Nouvel Opera region at the corner of rue Scribe and rue Auber. In 1885, George and Henry Pannier succeded their father and gradually developed what became a company noted for the quality of its production. The company supplied furniture and all manner of luxurious objects often having manufacturers supplying individual components which were then assembled to the firm's own design. The boasted such distinguished designers as Lièvre and Viardot and soon developed a recognisable style, often looking to the Orient for inspiration. Their work can be found in public collections such as the Musée du Louvre and the Musée d' Orsay, Paris.

The supports on this table with the eagle-heads terminating in paw feet  is reminiscent of those on a rectangular gilt-bronze centre table sold from the collection  of M. Hubert de Givenchy in 1993.