A pair of polychrome painted and carved giltwood console tables probably Franco-German, part third quarter 18th century and later

each of serpentine form, with an associated moulded alabastro fiorito top above a pierced frieze centred by a c-scroll cartouche issuing flowers and leaves on scrolled cabriole legs carved with husks joined by an x-form stretcher centred by billing doves on leaf carved scrolled feet; redecorated; restorations and tops restored

In overall good restored condition. The tops are later and have minor chips and minor areas of infill. Both tops have restored breaks. There is a variation in the colour of the tops with one being more brown in tonality than the other. One table has a new wooden T-shaped batten beneath the top. The black painted birds on the stretcher of one are possibly a later replacement.The painting and gilding has been refreshed in parts and there have been replacements and restorations to the carving. There are construction cracks at the joints commensurate with age and normal usage which can easily be filled or left. The gilding is nicely worn to red bole and there are some chips to the gilding as visible from the catalogue photograph. There is evidence of restoration to some of the carved sections as evidence by later screws to the reverse of the frieze. One of the tables is missing part of the floral swag on both the right and left frieze which can either be left but the protruding screws will need to be removed and the swags will have to be recarved.
"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:
Danielle O. Kisluk Grosheide, Wolfram Koeppe, Furniture in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Highlights of the Collection, New York, 2006, pp.152-153.
Gloria Ehret, Deutche Mobel des 18. Jahrhunderts, Barock-Rokoko-Klassizismus, Munich, 1986, Tafel IIIa.
Heinrich Kreisel, Die Kunst des deutschen Möbels, Vol. II, Munich, 1970, plate 734.

This unusual pair of console tables is conceived in a similar vein to the celebrated "Seehof Garden Furniture". The latter was an important group commissioned by one of the most powerful Prince-Bishops of Southern Germany, Adam Friedrich Graf von Seinsheim (1708-1779), for his summer residence Schloss Seehof near Bamberg.The Seehof Furniture, is an example of South German craftmanship at its very best, some of which is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection), illustrated by Kisluk-Grosheide et  al. op. cit., pp. 152-153, which includes a pair of canapés, formerly part of a larger set. Seehof had an Audience Chamber decorated with festoons and trelliswork and amongst the furniture was the aforementioned pair of settees with gilded frames and decorated with polychrome flowers and foliage and a pair of wall brackets which may well have inspired the maker of the offered pair of tables. 

Furthermore, Ehret, op. cit., Tafel IIIb, illustrates a giltwood console table with polychrome flowers and foliage, stated to be after a design by Johann Christian Hoppenhaupt with a pierced c-scroll cartouche in the frieze and x-form stretcher dated to around 1765. A design by Hoppenhaupt c. 1753, for a console table with flowers and foliage, is illustrated by Kreisel op. cit., plate 733.

A related pair of 18^th century German gilded corner console tables decorated in a similar vein with polychrome carved flowers and leaves, sold in these Rooms, 3^rd December 1997, lot 130 (£25,000). Also see a pair of related wall lights sold in these Rooms, April 27th, 2010, lot 56 (£18,750).