18th Century Large French Louis XV Carved Giltwood Rocaille Console Table

A large mid 18th Century Louis XV console table with a pierced frieze carved with rocaille and leaves, with a large central rocaille motif and stylised rose buds on each corner, on two S-shaped cabriole legs similarly carved with shell work and leaves. The two legs connected about 7.5 inches above the ground by a stretcher of irregular convergent foliated openwork forms and a central round rocaille. The whole water gilded with burnished and matte areas. The grey marble top of serpentine outline. When affixed to the wall, the table is tight and free of wobble.
Very impressive and highly decorative 18th century Louis XV console table which appears to be inspired by a design of a console table by Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier (1695-1750). Meissonnier was considered by his contemporaries as the master of the Louis XV or Rococo style, his designs functioned as reference material for cabinetmakers interested in incorporating the latest and most fashionable decorative motifs. His engravings were widely circulated due to his own ‘Livre d’ornemens’ (1734) and the publishing work of Gabriel Huquier (1695– 1772), perhaps the most influential Parisian publisher of the period, who created engravings of the work after Meissonnier among others. With many issues in circulation, Huquier’s work served as a style guide for designers and patrons and facilitated the rapid spread of the Rococo style througout Europe.