Antique French Neo-Grec marble and gilt bronze centre table by Barbedienne

Antique French Neo-Grec marble and gilt bronze centre table by Barbedienne
French, Late 19th Century
Height 83cm, width 126cm, depth 72cm
 
This superb 19th century centre table is by the distinguished Barbedienne foundry. The design is the work of Louis-Constant Sévin (French, 1821–1888), the lead designer for Barbedienne throughout the 1860s. This remarkable piece embodies the Neo-Grec style, which was a revival movement inspired by ancient Greco-Roman art, marked by its elaborate classical motifs and refined decorative language.
 
Topping the table is a bold and eye-catching slab of rouge marble, elegantly encircled by a border of jasper, which is an unusually rare and distinctive choice of material for a piece of this type. The surface is further embellished with delicate gilt bronze (ormolu) rosettes, tastefully arranged to enhance the rich tones of the jasper frame.
 
The structure beneath is equally captivating, featuring detailed neoclassical ornamentation throughout. Four monopodia legs in the form of satyrs are beautifully sculpted, displaying exceptional attention to detail. Stretchers adorned with graceful scrollwork lead toward a central figure draped in classical robes. The feet of each leg are shaped as lion paws, traditionally associated with strength and nobility.
 
One of the stretchers bears the signature ‘F. Barbedienne’.
 
A fine example of 19th-century French design and bronze artistry, this table is a true statement piece for any elegant interior or curated antique collection.
 
Artist/Maker: Barbedienne