This  beautiful center table is after the style of François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter (1770-1841), a renowned cabinet maker from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, known for his work in the Empire style. His work is associated with the Palace of Versailles and significant figures like Napoleon Bonaparte.   The Grand Trianon Versailles original of this table was made in 1808 for Caroline Murat, Emperor Napoleon's younger sister.

 

Center tables were typically placed in the middle of a parlor or foyer. They were meant to draw attention to the center of the room.  Center tables had various uses: for social events, for collections and displays, or even as desks for writing and reading.  They are very often beautifully decorated and inlaid.

 

The Empire style flourished during the reign of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte from 1805-1814.  Napoleon was in love with the sense of his own importance and greatness, and the Empire style reflected this in imposing, lavish pieces made to exacting standards.    He was attracted to the ancient Greco-Roman and Egyptian cultures and borrowed heavily from their imagery, symmetry and rich ornamentation for decoration.  Napoleon wanted the world to recognize the greatness of the French, and he achieved this with the Empire style, considered luxury furniture and wildly popular among the upper classes.  The style remained popular throughout the 19th century.

 

Marble was considered a high-end material, associated with wealth and grandeur, reflecting the sophisticated tastes of the elite during periods like the Louis XV and Louis XVI eras.  The natural beauty of marble, with its unique veining and subtle luster, added a touch of elegance and visual interest to the furniture. French artisans often selected marble slabs for their color, veining, and durability, and carefully polished them to enhance their natural beauty. Marble is a naturally hard and dense stone, making it resistant to scratches, chips, and damage. It is also heat-resistant and easy to clean, making it a practical choice for surfaces like commodes and buffets, which were used for both storage and serving.  Marble tops provided a beautiful contrast to the intricately carved and often gilded wooden bases of French furniture. The thick overhanging tops also helped to accentuate the forms of the furniture pieces.