A Russian giltwood malachite topped guéridon table circa 1800, after a design by Andrei Voronikhin

the top above a carved acanthus frieze supported by inward curved lion monopodia with a ring in their jaws carved with guilloche joined by a galleried concave triform shelf and a lower pierced stretcher centred by carved rosette; regilt, the top of base inscribed Collection De Baranovitch

In overall very good conserved condition and ready to be placed; regilt, the carvings have lost some sharpness, rings possibly replaced; the top is in very good conserved condition with minor repairs.
"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."

The present guéridon follows closely a design probably created by the leading designer in the Russian Imperial Court, Andrei Voronikhin (1759-1814). It is nonetheless, a variation of a model said to have been invented by the Parisian marchand-mercier Dominique Daguerre in association with Martin-Eloy Lignereux following the revival in the taste for the Antique after a number of archaeological discoveries across the Mediterranean were being made, most notably the discovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The exquisite malachite veneered top in the present lot is a fine example of early malachite cutting with the veneers being of small size, as expected in late 18^th and early 19^th century pieces, before the development of a technique that allowed the cutting of large pieces of malachite in about 1840.

This rare guéridon belongs to a group of similar Russian examples, however it is the only one known in carved giltwood, instead of bronze. Some of the other examples can be found in Imperial palaces in St. Petersburg including: a guéridon with a porcelain top from the Imperial Porcelain Factory, decorated with a view of Pavlovsk and dated 1798, illustrated by A. Chenevière, Russian Furniture., p. 28, fig. 13, now in Pavlovsk Palace; another guéridon also at Pavlovsk, with a blue glass top from the Imperial Glass Factory illustrated by  A. Gaydamak, Russian Empire, p. 64.

Andrei Voronikhin (1759-1814) was born the son of a serf and sent to Moscow in 1777, where he studied architecture, painting and perspective. In 1785, he left St. Petersburg and received his freedom in at the end of the same year. His first project of major significance was the door of the Stroganov Palace and from 1795-1800, he was in charge of new works on the estate belonging to the Galitzin family, relatives of Stroganov. In 1797, he was elected to the Academy of Arts, and by 1800 the elder Count Stroganov was saying of him, `I have always used his abilities in cases which required not only knowledge but taste. Moreover he has always shown great diligence in the execution of work with which he has been entrusted.’

He received an award from the Academy of Arts for his designs for a gallery, obelisk, fountains and urns for the Park at Peterhof and he began to assist Brenna (Vincenzo Brenna, 1745-1820), in the construction of the Mikhailovsky Castle which commenced in 1796. In 1802, he was appointed Professor of Architecture at the Academy of Arts and he built many buildings in and around St. Petersburg and produced a large number of drawings for objets d’art and furniture most notably for Pavlovsk Palace.