Consulate Period, Beautiful Caryatid Console

Elegant mahogany and mahogany veneer console from the Consulat period.
The front uprights in the form of sheathed caryatids, finished with their feet.

The quality of the mahogany veneer, the large size and the fineness of the carving of the caryatid busts, are close to the consoles made by Bernard Molitor.

The ornaments in gilded bronze, such as the laurel wreaths above the caryatids, the inverted palmettes below them and the rhombus centered by a star, are also very common in Molitor's work.

Several similar examples are detailed in Ulrich Leben's book:
"Molitor, cabinetmaker from Louis XVI to Louis XVIII", on pages 99,193,194 and 195.

Very often, in a simplified way, the furniture of the end of the XVIIIth century (and particularly the Consulate period) and that of the beginning of the XIXth century of the Empire period, are amalgamated in a single large family called Empire. More arbitrarily: what is not Louis XVI is directly tipped into the Empire style.

Here are some clarifications to clarify the stylistic attributes specific to the Consulate regarding the furniture category of consoles.
Unlike the Louis XVI console, the Consulate console has :

- a structure close to a mantelpiece.

- a rectangular belt.

- pilaster feet at the back.

- very varied front legs.

- a base with the same dimensions as the top.



The console becomes the most characteristic category of furniture of the interiors of the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. It is systematically invited in the majority of the rooms of the house (rarely in the bedrooms).

Very beautiful marble of the period called "imperial black" or "Golzinne".
Very good state of conservation, restored by a cabinetmaker of art, with a finish varnished with the stamp.

Consulate period, around 1800.

Dimensions :
Height 86.5 cm
Width 115.5 cm
Depth 43 cm

Bibliography

- Molitor cabinetmaker from Louis XVI to Louis XVIII. Ulrich Leben. Monelle Hayot Art Editions.

- Wilhelm Hair Castle Guide, 1933 edition, Huth, 1962, E.Schulz, 1968, Biehn. B. Foucart.

- French furniture of the 18th century, dictionary of cabinetmakers and carpenters, Pierre Kjellberg, les éditions de l'amateur.

Ref: LTVONE7OMW