A near pair of carved giltwood console tables, in the manner of François Roumier early Louis XV, circa 1730

one with a moulded mottled veined liver grey, white and peach marble top the other with a veined green, white and liver marble top of bowed and serpentine form, the pierced apron centred by a pelta with military trophies on boldly c-scrolled cabriole legs terminating in scrolled feet joined by a ribbed shaped stretcher and double baluster rear stretcher, the whole carved with acanthus, flowers, foliage and scrolls on a trelliswork ground;regilt; slight variation in the carving and construction

Probably one of the pair was sold Christie's, London, 4th July 1996, lot 237.
Both acquired from Mallett Antiques, London.

In overall good conserved condition.Colour of gilding slightly darker and less yellow and more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. Attractive detail to the carving. Hairline construction cracks at the joints which are commensurate with age and can be left. One very minor scroll at the rear of one stretcher appears to have been restored. Miniscule chips along rear edge of marble tops which do not detract from the piece and are hardly noticeable.
"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
B. Pons, De Paris à Versailles 1699-1736. Les sculpteurs ornemanistes parisiens et l'art décoratif des bâtîments du roi, Association des publications près des universités de Strasbourg, 1983, plates 506-511, plate 513, plates 348, 349.

This superbly carved pair of console tables may well have been inspired by engravings for console tables by Francois Roumier published in his `Livre de plusieurs Desseins de pieds de tables en console...' (pl. 1 à 6). Bibl. d' Art et d' Archéologie (Cat. C) illustrated by Pons, op. cit., plates 506-511. The engravings depict console tables with boldly scrolled legs joined by a stretcher and pierced frieze carved with foliage, flowers and stylised scallopshells on a trelliswork ground which may well have inspired the maker of this pair of tables. Furthermore, there is a giltwood console table attributed to François Roumier illustrated by Pons, op. cit., plate 513, conceived in a similar vein of serpentine form with boldly scrolled legs, stylised scallopshells, foliage and flowers on a trelliswork ground.

The central cartouche on the frieze with military trophies almost certainly has been influenced by designs for trophies on wall panelling, circa 1725-35, by Mathieu Legoupil, sculpteur ornemaniste, which are illustrated by Pons, op. cit., no. 339, fol 12 and 13, (Trophée, Kunstbibliothek, Berlin). Also see plates 348, fol. 16 and 349, fol. 17, for very similar designs for military trophies by Legoupil from his Carnet (Trophée, Kunstbibliothek, Berlin). However, other designers were responsible for related designs for military trophies, see Pons, op. cit., plates 359-362 by J.-F. Blondel d’ap. René Charpentier, Trophées, (Bibl. D’Art et d’Archéologie,Paris).

FRANÇOIS ROUMIER (ACTIVE 1716-48)

Roumier, a decorative carver employed by the Bâtiments du Roi, the agency in charge of the construction and maintenance of the various French royal palaces, was during the 1720's responsible for much of the carved interior decoration at the Château de Versailles.
In 1723–25, Roumier designed and carved a series of sixteen panels with trophy decorations for the choir of the Parisian church of the Noviciat des Jacobins, the present church of Saint Thomas d’Aquin.