Pair of 18C Country French Cherrywood Open Shelved Side Tables

Published by Nevan O Shaughnessy on

PRESENTING a LOVELY Pair of 18C Country French Cherrywood Open Shelved Side Tables.

Both from circa 1790 and made of cherrywood, these beautifully proportioned side tables are not fully matching, but very similar in style and design and have been together since the 1930’s (at a minimum).

Both, constructed using wooden pegs, giving a clear indication of their authenticity.

One larger side table, with central frieze drawer, with replacement brass knob.

It stands on gorgeous solid cabriolet legs.

Above the base frieze there are 3 open shelves.

Each shelf has a molded and scalloped/curved edge to reflect the top crown.

One smaller side table, again with central frieze drawer (this time on the side) and cabriole legs. Above the base frieze there are 2 open shelves. Curved frieze underneath on all sides.

The smaller table has had some repairs to the sides where the top shelf attaches.

These tables came from the same Dallas Estate as a number of other items in our Inventory. Many of these were acquired by ancestors of the Estate, at a French Antique Auction held at the Club Room in the Stoneligh Court (Hotel), Dallas on Wednesday the 2nd April 1930. (Now The Meridian Hotel).

We have the Original Auction Catalog which has remained with the items purchased, since they were acquired at that Auction (along with other pieces on our Site).

The Auction was titled: ” Works of Art and Furnishings of The Chateau de Turique (Nancy) and The Conde-Rougemont Home (Touraine). The cover of the Catalog also has a seal of a Coat of Arms.

The first page of the Catalog States: “Exhibition on Wednesday, April 2nd And Following Days From 10 A.M. to 10 P.M……EXHIBITION at CLUB ROOM, STONELIGH COURT, DALLAS, TEXAS”.

The Second page gives a brief description of the Auction contents and states that ” This Exhibition will be presented by M. Fernand M. Adda of Paris France”

We believe that this pair of side tables were Lot No: 303 and were described in the Auction Catalog as:

“TWO PROVENCIAL CHERRYWOOD SIDE TABLES …… On cabriole legs, frieze fitted with drawer and opened shelved top”

It is noted on the margin that the buyer paid the princely sum of $45 each (Total of $90) in 1930 for these tables. Allowing for simple inflation, this would equate to well over $1,700 today.

A STUNNING PAIR OF EARLY FRENCH PROVINCIAL PIECES!

French furniture comprises both the most sophisticated furniture made in Paris for king and court, aristocrats and rich upper bourgeoisie, on the one hand, and French provincial furniture made in the provincial cities and towns many of which, like Lyon and Liège, retained cultural identities distinct from the metropolis. There was also a conservative artisanal rural tradition of French country furniture which remained unbroken until the advent of the railroads in the mid-nineteenth century.

Furniture made in provincial centers such as Blois and Orléans in the Loire valley, and at Lyon or Liège (Not part of France politically but within its cultural orbit), followed at some distance the design innovations that were initiated in the luxury trades of Paris, often with a time lag that could amount to decades.

Features typically associated with French Provincial furniture include cabriole legs, and simple scalloped carving. Dining chairs often have a wheat pattern carving reflecting the country surroundings of the maker. The ladder back chair with a woven rush seat is the typical French Provincial dining chair. Finishes vary though common to all colours is the accumulation of polish or grime in the carving over time resulting in an aged patina and emphasis on the carving regardless of whether the furniture is painted or stained.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_furniture

Pair of 18C Country French Cherrywood Open Shelved Side Tables

Provenance: From a Private Dallas Collection

Condition: Fair ORIGINAL condition. Some minor blemishes as one would expect for pieces of this age. There are some repairs to the side of the smaller table. We have reflected this repair in the price.

Dimensions:

Small Table is 31 inches tall, 15.75 inches wide and 10.5 inches deep.

Larger Table is 36 inches tall, 17.5 inches wide and 13.25 inches deep.

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