Tall Brass Table with Marble — Empire Style, with Lion Heads and Paw Detail (7023)

Height: 75.5 cm Width: 40.5 cm Surface: 35.5 cm

Tall Brass Table with Marble Top in Empire Style

A snapshot from the Empire era, Joséphine de Beauharnais: The morning room at Malmaison smelled of freshly cut roses and exotic plants brought in by gardeners from the vast palace greenhouses. The Empress, clad in a flowing, diaphanous Empire-style gown, paced slowly by the large windows, her gaze lingering on the latest botanical rarities adorning her private chambers.

At the center of the room stood an exquisite, tall pedestal, its light marble surface and gleaming brass reflecting the morning sun. Its graceful tripod base, crowned with noble lion heads, struck a perfect balance between strength and delicate elegance, embodying the very grandeur the Empire sought to project to the world.

She slowly reached out, her fingers gently gliding over the cool marble surface, pausing at a brass lion’s head and lightly touching the metal ring in its mouth. This touch of cold, solid material and fine detail momentarily reminded her of the delicate union of power and beauty—the same force that governed both politics and her meticulously cultivated rose gardens.

Craftsmanship & Period This exquisite table was crafted in the second half of the 20th century, skillfully emulating the aesthetics of the early 19th-century Empire (Empire) and Neoclassical styles, characterized by symmetry and motifs from the ancient world.

Maker / Signature / Mark The work of an unknown European master. The table’s construction demonstrates a high quality of metalworking and stonework, combining solid brass (or bronzed metal) with natural, light marble.

Rarity & Significance Pedestals in the Empire style (guéridons) featuring animal motifs—particularly lion heads and paws—are classic symbols of power and triumph. This model is exceptionally rare and elegant due to its slender, curved legs, which are adorned at the top with lion heads holding movable rings in their mouths. The legs terminate in intricately detailed lion paws with acanthus leaf motifs. The surface is made of light marble with grey veining, surrounded by a beautiful, perforated metal gallery (border pattern). The junction of the base is adorned with a classic pinecone (finial) element.

Application & Interior Use Due to its height and compact surface, this table serves as a perfect pedestal for an exotic houseplant, a fine porcelain vase, or a small sculpture. It will be an outstanding and eye-catching accent in any classical or eclectic interior.

Condition The table is in very good vintage condition. The marble top is intact and smooth, retaining its natural pattern. The brass elements have developed a light, natural patina of age, which only enhances the item’s antique charm. The condition of the item is fully reflected in the photographs.