A gilt-bronze-mounted ebonised pearwood and ebony centre table attributed to Adam Weisweiler Louis XVI, circa 1785-90

with an inset rectangular verde antico marble top above a concave frieze above octagonal headers on brass fluted tapering legs joined by a pierced x-form stretcher centred by an inverted bell shaped finial, the tapering feet headed by ribbed panels, bearing the stamp beneath the frieze `A. Weisweiler ' and JME and the number in black ink 43894 twice, with an illegible seal, marble top restored 

Acquired from Jacques Helft & Co. in 1946 in New York, thence by descent

In overall good conserved condition. The fluting on the legs is parcel-gilt and not brass as stated in the catalogue description. The marble top has been restored but there are still some minor losses and it would benefit from some minor restoration. The joints are slightly unstable and would benefit from some tightening up.The gilt-bronze is a little dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. There are some minor cream coloured stains which can be cleaned off. There is a very small piece of veneer missing from the roundel on the stretcher as visible in the left of the photograph. Hairline cracks and construction cracks at joints commensurate with age and normal use which can be left. There is a very small strip of veneer missing from the top of a block above a foot and some old very minor restorations to the veneer on the blocks on the legs. It is possible that there was originally a vase on the stretcher and the finial on the base was beneath rather than above the roundel it (see the comparative examples reproduced).
"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:
F. J. B. Watson, The Wrightsman Collection, Vol I, Furniture, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1966, pp. 220-221, no. 115A-B.
P. Lemonnier, Weisweiler, 1983, p. 84, no. 141.

There are several examples of these elegant neo-classical tables executed by Adam Weisweiler around 1785-90, with gilt-bronze octagonal headers, fluted tapering legs and an x-form pierced stretcher. Some of the recorded models also have a bronze neo-classical ewer on the stretcher.

This type of table is typical of the production commercialised by Dominique Daguerre at the end of the reign of Louis XVI, and is described in the inventory after Daguerre's death: `XXIX ...une petite table quarrée longue établie en ébene avec pieds en guêne à cannelures d'étain entrejambe à filets, baguette et carderons en cuivre doré et marbre moucheté vert et blanc prisé quatre cent livres'. 

The recorded examples include a pair stamped Weisweiler, which are almost identical to the offered lot, with porphyry tops, formerly in the collection of Count Potocki at the Castle of Lancut in Poland, and now in the Wrightsman collection, illustrated by Watson, op. cit., p. 220-221, no. 115A_B, lot 402 reproduced here in fig. 1. 

There is also a very similar pair with a ewer on the stretcher in the Musée Nissim de Camondo (inv. CAM. 242), reproduced here in fig. 2. The former pair were delivered at the end of the 18th century by the marchand-mercier Daguerre to Count Stoganoff in St. Petersburg where they remained until 1931, when they were sold by the Soviet government and acquired by Moses de Camondo. 

A very similar table stamped by Weisweiler from the collection of Adrian Ribolzi Antiquaire, will be sold Sotheby's Paris, 30th November 2011, lot 78.