Small Napoleon III Marquetry Pedestal Table With Floral Decoration (19th Century)

Small Napoleon III marquetry side table with floral decoration (19th century). A Napoleon III period side table, second half of the 19th century. The table has a serpentine shape and is made of ebonized wood and precious wood veneer. It is decorated with marquetry featuring a floral design within oval reserves against a contrasting background. The shaped top is framed by an openwork gallery of gilt bronze. It opens with a drawer in the frieze, adorned with a keyhole escutcheon and a finely chased bronze handle decorated with foliage. It rests on four cabriole legs joined by two stretcher panels also inlaid with floral compositions within oval cartouches. The marquetry is of very fine quality, using contrasting woods (rosewood, palisander, stained maple, etc.), typical of the eclectic and ornamental taste of the Second Empire. Good overall condition. Minor wear consistent with the period. A slight dent in the bronze (see photo). Visible at the Galerie Courcelles Antiquités, 97 rue de Courcelles, in the 17th arrondissement of Paris.