1940s Living Room Coffee Table, Carved Wood, Lacquered, With Gilded églomisé Glass, Commedia Dell'arte Style

An elegant antique coffee table dating from the 1940s, made of carved wood and finished in white-cream lacquer, resting on four curved legs with scrollwork. The scalloped band features a design of shells, foliage, and carved floral motifs, enhanced by a golden-brown patina that highlights the relief of the ornamentation. The tabletop is made of eglomized glass with polychrome and gilded decoration, inspired by the world of Italian Commedia dell’arte. In the center, two theatrical figures in Renaissance costumes, in animated poses, evoke the characters of Harlequin and his companions. Their clothing features multicolored geometric patterns, stripes, and accessories characteristic of Italian theater.

The composition is framed by rich Baroque ornamentation: hanging purple draperies, lambrequins, volutes, foliage, arabesques, and lantern motifs. Mascaron motifs and grotesque figures complete this theatrical scene.

The technique of églomisé glass involves applying gilding and painted motifs to the back of a glass panel, which are then viewed in transparency from the front. This decorative technique creates effects of depth, contrasts between metallic surfaces and colors, and a luminosity unique to gilding under glass.

The tabletop features a rich interplay of gold, brown, blue, green, and purple. The visible wear and patina on the gilding now create a nuanced surface, whose aged appearance contributes to the piece’s overall decorative character.

This table is representative of French decorative furniture from the 1930s and 1940s, combining a Rocaille-inspired base with an illustrated tabletop reminiscent of theatrical sets, Venetian painted panels, and Italian decorative arts.

The combination of carved, lacquered wood and églomisé glass recalls the interwar period’s taste for traditional decorative techniques, reinterpreted in 20th-century furniture design.

• Period: circa 1940.

• Origin: European craftsmanship, in the style of French furniture.

• Style: Neo-Louis XV, Rocaille-inspired, and Italian theatrical decor.

Carved and molded wood, lacquered in cream white with golden-brown highlights. Rectangular eglomized glass top with polychrome painted decoration and gilding on the underside.

• Height: 47 cm.

• Width: 47 cm.

• Length: 97 cm.

Some signs of wear, scuffs, chips, and lacquer loss, see photos