Antique Royal Vienna porcelain and ormolu guéridon

The table is supported on an ormolu (gilt bronze) support, which is set on an open triform base. The support is comprised of three legs, with hoof feet. From these feet, the legs S-scroll back to a central point, where they come together and extend upwards in a straight line, grouped around a central column with a ball end and top. Higher up, the legs curve outwards in elaborate S-scrolls, which take the form of dragons with outstretched wings, open mouths and fierce facial expressions. This ormolu support appears to be inspired by Far Eastern (possibly Chinese or Japanese) design.

Supported on the support’s ormolu S-scrolls, there is a circular porcelain table top. This features a beautiful central painting of a couple seated in a panelled interior. Both figures wear traditional Austrian dress. The woman is depicted spinning wool, while the man sits beside her, his coat and rifle placed nearby. The room is modestly furnished with a pair of paintings, a wooden crucifix, birdcage, and mounted animal head. This painting is set within a gilt rectangular frame, decorated with chevron patterns. This is offset against a red ground, which is finely ornamented with gilt scrolling foliate motifs.

The creator of the table top was the famous Royal Vienna Porcelain Manufactory. The factory was well-known in Europe for its hard-paste porcelain wares, which they began to produce in the early 18^th Century. These high-quality, typically Rococo or Neoclassical style, goods were sought after by members of the social elite in Europe, including royalty.