Pietra dura and ormolu guéridon by Barbedienne

This unusual table is comprised of an ormolu frame and a pietra dura inlaid marble top. The frame, by Ferdinand Barbedienne, is of the distinctive Empire style. The table features three curved ormolu legs, each terminating in a paw foot and culminating in an Egyptian-inspired winged-Sphinx capital—the motifs of ancient Egypt often appearing in the Empires style. Each leg is joined by a highly ornate foliate scrolled stretcher, and the three legs are set atop a trefoil ormolu base.

The legs support the tabletop, which is encompassed by a gadrooned ormolu border. The top, of black marble, is adorned with pietra dura, or inlaid stone: in this instance, green, pink, blue, and red variegated stones inlaid to produce a floral bouquet, the delicacy and precision of which is remarkable.

The base is signed ‘F. Barbedienne Paris’.