Rectangular table frame on four cabriole legs in the shape of satyr caryatids with expressively carved and wreathed heads and foliage carving standing on hoof feet. The shoulders of the caryatids transform into volutes extending to the front and sides of the table frame. The front of the table frame with rich ornamental carving in the form of a central male’s head in the middle of a curved volute cartouche terminating in a lambrequin motif and being accompanied by acanthus leaf vignettes. The sides with corresponding decorative carving. The back remained without decoration, as the table was designed to be placed against a wall. The console table is topped by a Rouge Languedoc marble slab.
This Régence console table is a so-called “table gibier”, a table that served to present the hunted and prepared wild game and, reinforced by a table frame usually provided with rich ornamental carving, to demonstrate the wealth of the owner. The table is stylistically connected to console tables of the Provencal sculptor and cabinetmaker Bernard Honoré Turreau, called Bernard Toro: both the cabriole legs in the form of caryatids and the front of curvey outline with a central elegant frames by a richly decorated cartouche accompanied by volutes and lambrequin decoration are found in furniture designs that Toro published in the works ” Desseins a plusieurs usages/Inventés par M. B. Toro” and ” Livre des Tables de diverses formes ….”.
Bernard Honoré Turreau, called Bernard Toro (Toulon 1672-1731 ibid.) a French sculptor and designer, produced a variety of richly carved console furniture, tables and wall panels for his Provencal clientele.
In 1716, he published his designs in the volume “Livre des Tables de diverses formes…” with 115 engravings by Charles-Nicolas Cochin, François Joullain, and others, which was published by the royal architect Claude-Nicolas Lepas-Dubuisson.
The great originality of his style can be seen in the mixing of French and Italian Baroque elements. Very few of his works, which are mainly in private collections, can be attributed to him with certainty.
Condition: good, min. wear consistent with age and use – detailed condition report on request
