A PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU AND ROUGE MARBLE CENTER TABLES

These finely-cast tables were almost certainly used by the prolific firm of Barbedienne in their Paris atelier, not only to display various objets de vertu, but also to exhibit the superior level of their work. The circular bronze fittings in the marble tops would have supported large glass display cases with velvet interiors. Two such cases by Barbedienne (illustrated left) with corresponding dimensions for the bronze fittings were sold Christie's, New York, 25 October 2007, lots 357 and 359.