French ormolu and mirror surtout de table

Called a surtout de table, this item is designed to provide an elaborate centrepiece for a formal dining table. Such items were particularly fashionable in the second half of the 18^th Century and the 19^th Century, and today they can be viewed at major country houses such as Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, England.

This surtout de table takes the form of a long oval seven-piece tray, which is edged with a pierced ormolu (gilt bronze) gallery. The length of the item can be shortened to fit any table simply by removing one or more of the sections.

The centrepiece’s ormolu gallery features scrolled fruiting vines, rosettes and pairs of swans flanking fruit baskets. The top of the centrepiece is mirrored, so it will reflect the light created by the candelabra placed on top of it or by a chandelier suspended above, for instance. The lustrous golden ormolu gallery will similarly catch the low flickering candlelight, with beautiful effects.