19th Century French Louis XVI Silvered Bronze and Mirrored “Surtout de Table”

$2,400

About

Decorate a dining table with this elegant antique “Surtout de Table”. Crafted in France circa 1860, and rectangular in shape with rounded ends, the large tray stands on four small hoof feet decorated with acanthus leaf motifs; the tray features a frieze gallery around the perimeter embellished with the traditional Louis XVI ribbon bow flanked by a pair of torches; the inset beveled mercury glass mirrored plateau rests over the wooden bottom. The Louis XVI style center piece is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich patinated silver finish. A Surtout de table is an ornamental centerpiece displayed on a formal dining table, “a large centerpiece with mirrored plateaus and numerous candelabra and other possible display pieces on top”. In French Surtout de table is the usual term for any type of centerpiece, but in English this “tray” type, along with the objects placed on it, is the usual meaning. Evolving from a simple plate or bowl on which to stand candlesticks and condiments, a Surtout de table often took the form of a long galleried tray made of precious or gilded metals, on which a series of other objects were placed for display. It was often made in sections allowing its length to be determined by the leaves added to the table. During the later half of the 18th century and throughout the 19th century, no formal table was considered compete without one. Today, they are still seen and used in the most formal dining rooms. Measures: 22″ W x 15″ D.

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