Louis XVI Neoclassical Side Table with Hand-Painted Top & Cane Shelf

Design & Inspiration

Place this table in a room and something shifts. The ivory ground and gilded ornament draw the eye immediately — but it is the hand-painted top that holds it. A central rose medallion unfurls into gilded scrollwork acanthus tendrils that reach toward each corner with the measured confidence of Louis XVI Neoclassical design. The lower cane shelf, with its radiating sunburst pattern and central anthemion rosette, frames the piece below with equal authority. This is a side table that functions as a focal point, not a supporting player.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The frame is built from solid pine — a stable hardwood that accepts both the fine chisel work and the ivory lacquer finish without movement or splitting. The four legs are fluted columns in the Louis XVI manner, each rising from a gilded turned foot and capped with an acanthus collar and a square corner block carved with a raised cross motif. The apron between the legs carries hand-carved swag garlands — looping floral festoons suspended between carved knots — gilded to stand out against the ivory ground. The lower shelf is fitted with authentic woven cane, tensioned in a traditional herringbone and diamond pattern, set within a rope-carved ivory frame. Every gilded surface is applied by hand, building depth through layered tone rather than uniform metallic paint.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 65 cm / Depth: 65 cm / Height: 55 cm
The square form and mid-height profile make this table well-suited to placement beside a high-backed armchair or bergère, at the end of a sofa, or as a pair flanking a console or bed. The lower cane shelf offers a practical secondary surface for books, a tray, or a decorative object.

Handcrafted in Egypt

This table is produced entirely by hand in Egypt by Brass & Wood artisans drawing on the European Neoclassical tradition. The painting, carving, gilding, and caning are each carried out as discrete craft disciplines — no one step is rushed to accelerate the next. The result is a piece that carries its age reference with honesty: faithfully reproduced in the tradition of late 18th-century French court furniture, made with the materials and methods that tradition demands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this table made from?

The frame and carved elements are solid pine finished in ivory lacquer with hand-applied gilding. The lower shelf is fitted with traditional woven cane. The tabletop features hand-painted decorative artwork in gold and rose tones over the lacquered wood surface.

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — typically attaching the legs to the table body. Full instructions are included, and the process requires no specialist tools.

Can this table be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization on wood finish color, gilding tone, and upholstery or cane alternatives for the lower shelf. Contact our team to discuss options before placing your order.