Pair of Louis XV style Wrought Iron Side Tables
A exceptional and rare pair of Louis XV style wrought iron side tables or console tables in the manner of Serge Roche, each with an 18th century, moulded marble top of terracotta-pink and grey tones above a shaped and ridged frieze with husk swagged apron, centred by a pierced cartouche embedded foliate spray, on four acanthus headed and husk pendant draped cabriole legs terminating in scroll feet
These elegant console tables are a rare example of early 20th century tables which follow the tradition of a highly distinctive regional production associated with Provence. Inspired by its counterparts in carved wood, wrought iron consoles d’apparat emerged as ambitious creations by artisans belonging to the guild of the serruriers-ferroniers, who were more used to producing work to complement architectural schemes. Drawing from the language of architecture, and sourcing from ornamentistes such as Gabriel Huquier (1695–1772), they have managed to interpret the rococo vocabulary through this strong, sometimes cold, but characterful material resulting in what was once described a “stylisation du style” (Connaissance des Arts, 1957).
When polished, painted, gilt, silvered or applied with repoussé tole, wrought iron takes on new life full of warmth and richness which rivalled its nobler cousin bronze and provided a durability that wood could not offer. This material, when used in furniture, therefore became a sophisticated and rare component of luxurious French interiors from the early Louis XV period onwards. This strength of the iron led to a preference for consoles fixed to the wall, playing with the contrast of the weight of the marble and the lightness of the open design, a feature that carved giltwood always struggled with.
The technique was particularly successful in southern France, namely in Provence and the region around Avignon and Marseille, where hôtels particuliers were bursting with examples of the technique and the imagination from the local serruriers of the 18th century. This is seen in staircases, balconies, signs and of course in churches, from communion tables to baldachins, or in simple ornamental motifs.
