19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany Marble Top Console with Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany Marble Top Console with Bronze is a masterpiece from one of the most significant eras in French history with regard to the production of what many consider to be the finest furniture ever produced!  Hand-crafted from select, exotic imported mahogany, it features the tailored architecture of the preceding Louis Philippe period, but with an abundance of embellishments in the form of bronze mounts that make it definitively early Napoleon III Period.  The mahogany was selected for its sheer natural beauty and ability to last for centuries, then was hand-crafted on the facade using the bookmatch technique for a mirror image effect on the grain patterns.  The sides, full width drawer, and lower platform are all trimmed in bronze in a foliate pattern.  Centered in that framework are cast bronze embellishments with shell and foliate themes, framed on the rounded cornerposts by beautiful crest motifs, underneath which appear cascading symbols of Socrates over olive branches and symbols of knowledge, learning and human accomplishment.  The aforementioned casting is on the shoulder of the scrolled leg set at 45 degrees, and bounded by two rosettes.  At the foot of the leg appears another casting of stylized shell and foliates lifting upwards just above lions' paw feet, with the bronze mount duplicated on the rear legs.  The three sides of the lower platform are mounted with the same castings as the drawer tier above, with a stunning rectangular rosette appearing on the rounded front plinth block.  A shelf extends between the legs providing additional display possibilities, but the main display surface on top is defined by absolutely stunning double-sandwiched Italian black marble with white and gold veining, considered one of the finest pieces of stone available to furniture crafters of the era.  An exceptional way to welcome guests in the foyer, adorn a hallway, or serve as a space-conserving surface in any room, the four legged sell-supporting design also makes this piece a good candidate behind a sofa!
Circa 1850s
Measures 36H x 44W x 16.5D