Napoleon III Marquetry Oval Side Table with Brass Gallery & Single Drawer

Design & Inspiration

Place this table beside a bergère armchair and it immediately assumes its role — not as furniture, but as a proposition. The oval top draws the eye before anything else: a field of polychrome marquetry radiating from a central diamond motif, surrounded by scrolling acanthus, floral sprays, and trellis banding, all held in check by a pierced brass gallery rail that catches the light like a crown. This is a table that was designed to be looked at as much as used. It faithfully reproduces the vocabulary of the Napoleon III period — the Second Empire's exuberant revival of Louis XV Rococo forms married to the precision of high-quality ormolu work — in a scale suited to the modern salon.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The top surface is a tour de force of hand-cut marquetry: multiple wood veneers — satinwood, tulipwood, kingwood, and rosewood — are assembled into a composition that mimics the botanical engravings fashionable in mid-19th-century Parisian ateliers. The ground frame is constructed from solid pine, finished in a deep mahogany French polish that gives the slender cabriole legs their characteristic depth and sheen. The pierced brass gallery encircling the top, the cast ormolu cartouche mounts flanking the single drawer, and the delicate sabot feet are all cast and hand-chased, lending the piece the material authority that defines quality reproduction work. The drawer interior is lined in deep burgundy velvet — a detail that rewards the hand as much as the eye. The lower oval shelf repeats the marquetry programme in a simpler register, tying the composition together visually.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 53 cm / Depth: 40 cm / Height: 75 cm
Shape: Oval
Top Material: Solid Wood with polychrome marquetry
Brass Finish: Gold ormolu mounts and pierced gallery rail
Storage: One single drawer with velvet lining
Lower Shelf: Inlaid oval shelf
Wood Finish: French Polish
Country of Origin: Egypt

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every element of this table — the marquetry cutting, the French polish application, the brass casting and chasing — is executed by hand in Brass & Wood's Egyptian atelier. Egypt's long tradition of skilled woodworking and metalwork, combined with solid pine chosen for its stability and fine grain, produces a piece that honours the original Parisian tradition of the guéridon de salon while meeting the demands of contemporary living. This is a handcrafted luxury table, not a mass-produced import, and the difference is visible in every joint and every inlaid petal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this table made from?

The structural frame is solid pine finished in deep mahogany French polish. The top and lower shelf feature hand-cut polychrome wood marquetry in multiple veneers. The gallery rail, cartouche mounts, and sabot feet are cast brass with a gold ormolu finish. The drawer interior is velvet-lined.

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — typically attaching the legs to the body. All hardware and instructions are included. No specialist tools are needed.

Can this table be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization on wood finish tone, brass finish (gold, antique gold, or bronze), and upholstery lining colour. Contact our team for bespoke options before placing your order.