Louis XVI Neoclassical Marquetry Side Table with Gilt Bronze Mounts

Design & Inspiration

Set this table beside a reading chair and notice how the gilt bronze catches the light — the corner rosette mounts gleaming against deep mahogany, the swag-and-ribbon ormolu panels punctuating the apron like punctuation in a well-composed sentence. This is a Louis XVI Neoclassical side table faithfully reproduced in the tradition of the great Parisian ébénistes of the 1770s–1790s, when symmetry, classical ornament, and restrained elegance replaced the exuberant curves of the Rococo. The square format, the tapered fluted legs, the swagged garland mounts — every element speaks to a design vocabulary that has lost none of its authority.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The top is hand-cut in traditional marquetry technique: a central floral medallion set within scrolling acanthus tendrils, executed across a field of contrasting wood veneers that shift in tone as light moves across them. The apron is veneered in deep mahogany and finished by hand to a French polish — a labor-intensive process that builds thin shellac layers to produce a depth of surface impossible to achieve with modern lacquer. Three apron panels are divided by gilt bronze framing strips and centered by cast ormolu mounts: a central garland-and-bow motif flanked by paired ribbon drops. The legs are turned and tapered, each adorned with gilt bronze collars and terminating in small brass sabots that lift the piece with precision. The mahogany substructure ensures dimensional stability across varying climates.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 60 cm / Depth: 60 cm / Height: 62 cm
The square footprint makes this table equally suited as a lamp table, a drinks stand, or an accent piece beside a bergère armchair. The ormolu mounts are cast brass with a hand-applied gold finish. The marquetry top is protected with a fitted glass panel in the working version (visible in secondary images).

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every table bearing the Brass & Wood name is built by hand in our Cairo atelier. The marquetry cutting, the French polish application, the fitting and finishing of the ormolu mounts — each stage is performed by craftsmen trained in the European classical tradition. This is not reproduction furniture in the mass-market sense. It is a considered, piece-by-piece interpretation of a specific historical object, made to be passed down. Customization of finish, fabric, and dimensions is available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this table made from?

The structural frame is solid mahogany. The visible surfaces are veneered in mahogany and finished with French polish. The decorative inlay on the top is traditional marquetry in contrasting wood veneers. All mounts and banding are cast brass with a hand-applied gold finish.

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — the legs are attached on delivery. No specialist tools are needed, and instructions are provided.

Can this table be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization of the finish color, ormolu patina (gold, antique gold, or bronze), and table dimensions. Contact our team to discuss bespoke requirements before placing your order.