Circular Empire pedestal table in veneered wood on a tripod - Lot 265

Circular Empire pedestal table in veneered wood on a tripod base with casters. Empire period, 19th century Decorated with three draped women in the Antique style in chased and gilded bronze, holding a garland of flowers and dancing around a central column in patinated bronze adorned with a base in chased and gilded bronze with scrolls and acanthus leaves. The black-veined gray marble top and the ormolu belt with laurel leaf frieze motif. Restorations, some later elements including the marble top and belt, and wear to the gilding. Leading 19th-century bronzemakers such as Thomire and Galle excelled in the creation of numerous works based on designs by Percier and Fontaine, for interior decoration and furniture. These include basket-shaped table centerpieces supported by gilded bronze women draped in the antique style. Charles Percier (1764-1838) was a famous draughtsman and Pierre Fontaine (1762-1853) a decorative architect. Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) was a renowned sculptor, bronzemaker, founder, chaser and gilder. Claude Galle (1759-1815) and his son Gérard-Jean (1788-1846), who succeeded him, inspired many bronze craftsmen active at the time.The three dancers with garlands in gilded bronze adorning the base of our pedestal table can be compared with three other pedestal tables whose bases are adorned with the same three dancers with garlands, whose models were given to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (see illustrations 1, 2 & 3), famous bronzemaker to the French Emperor Napoleon I. Ill. 1: Guéridon "aux danseuses", in burnished and gilded bronze, with ormolu-mounted base after drawings by Pierre-Philippe Thomire, circa 1810, porphyry top, Koller sale, Zurich, Switzerland, December 8, 2011, no. 1330. DR. Koller Zurich. Ill. 2: Gueridon "aux danseuses" in mahogany veneer by Jacob-Desmalter with burnished bronze base and gilt bronze mount given to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, circa 1810. DR. Phil Morris (Saskatoon, Toronto, NYC, Canada). Ill. 3: "Les danseuses" mahogany-veneered pedestal table by Jacob-Desmalter with burnished bronze base and gilt bronze mount given to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, circa 1810, black marble top. DR. Getty Images.