A Restauration gilt-bronze circular sûrtout de table circa 1820, attributed to Thomire

the mirrored centre surrounded by finely cast gallery of vases with foliage and grapes interspaced by arched plinth feet

Almost certainly Eugène, Prince de Beauharnais, Duke of Leuchtenberg, Stéphanie Princess de Beauharnais, Grand Duchess of Baden (1789-1860)
Thence by descent

In very good conserved condition; the mirror plate probably original; with a new cotton backing.
"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."

This sûrtout de table, with its finely cast Bacchus inspired gallery of vine garlands, is identical to an oblong three piece surtout signed Thomire a Paris and illustrated in H. Ottomeyer Vergoldete Bronzen, 1986, p.387 fig. 5.16.14., now in the collections of The San Francisco Fine Arts Museum. Two drawings by Thomire in the Bibliotheque Nationale (illustrated op.cit. p. 388, il. 5.16.15) show some elements used in the present lot.

Several comparables by Thomire exist, including one made for Eugene de Beauharnais, now in the collections of the National History Museum in Washington. One other formerly in the collection of Pauline Bonaparte-Borghese, and later acquired by the Duke of Wellington, is now in use at the British Embassy in Paris (Sir Pierson Dixon, K.C.M.G., 'French Empire clocks in the British Embassy at Paris', The Connoisseur, January 1964, Vol.158, No. 635, p.3).

Another important and similar surtout de table, part of the Casa de Saboia table garniture, was previously in the collection of King Umberto II of Italy, sold Christie's, London, 9 December 2004, lot 43.