A REMARKABLE EBONIZED AND GILT SIDE TABLE

11718 – A REMARKABLE EBONIZED AND GILT SIDE TABLE SET WITH DRAPED FIGURAL GILTWOOD SUPPORTS IN THE FORM OF THE GODDESSES HEBE AND VENUS GENETRIX English. Second Quarter Of The Nineteenth Century. Measurements: Width: 67 3/4 ” (172 cm); Depth: 21 5/8″(55 cm); Height: 39 3/4″ (101 cm).

Research:
Of ebonized and gilt wood, and original mirror plate. The rectanguar top above an egg and dart molded frieze, with two caryatids in the form of the goddesses Hebe (left) and the Venus Genetrix (right), their heads enveloped by carved scallop shells. Each side in the form of a Romanesque revival arch with flattened spiral column, and a mirrored back enclosed by a giltwood stylyzed lotus leaf molding. The whole raised on a shaped plinth base. A 1″ deep infill added to the rear edge of the top, can be removed. The entire table retaining its original gilding.

Marks:
Bears handwritten paper label to underside:
bc. d. d.
No. 033
An ebony ??
ev. d. d.

Provenance:
Easton Glebe House, Dunmow, Essex, former home of author H. G. Wells

The present table is supported to the front by classical female figures representing the goddesses Hebe, on the left, and Venus, on the right. It appears to be unique in incorporating two distinctly carved, non-generic forms modeled after individual extant ancient and neoclassical sources. The model of Hebe is nearly identical to a sculpture by Bertel Thorvaldsen (figure 1), executed in Rome in 1816 and purchased by Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton. The form of Venus is based on a late 5th century BCE Greek bronze statue, often attributed to the Athenian sculptor Callimachus.

Full research available on request.