Napoleon III Rococo Revival Round Side Table with Floral Marquetry Top & Ormolu Mounts

Design & Inspiration

Place this table in a room and it immediately becomes the room's anchor — not because of its size, which is intimate at Ø60 cm, but because of what its surface contains. The top is a composition of hand-laid floral marquetry: full-blown roses, sweeping acanthus scrolls, and tulip-like blooms rendered in contrasting warm and dark veneers against a rich mahogany ground. A twisted rope-molding border frames the composition like a gilded picture frame, and four ormolu shell-and-leaf mounts punctuate the apron at cardinal points. This is the Napoleon III / Second Empire period at its most unrestrained — the 1850s Parisian taste for opulent ornament expressed in a piece scaled for a salon, a boudoir, or a fireside reading corner.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The table is built from solid mahogany, chosen for its dimensional stability and the depth of colour it accepts under a French-polished finish. The marquetry top is the centrepiece: individual veneers of contrasting species — amber, sienna, green, and near-black — are cut and set by hand to form a continuous floral arabesque radiating from the centre. The turned central column rises from a four-legged swept base whose outcurving legs carry cast ormolu foliate mounts at the knee and gilded sabot-style mounts at the foot. The apron is shaped in a gentle scalloped profile and fitted with a large shell mount at the front and scrolling strap mounts at each side — all cast in brass and finished in bright gold. The overall effect is that of a miniature cabinet-maker's showpiece.

Dimensions & Details

Diameter: 60 cm / Height: 68 cm
Wood Species: Mahogany
Finish: French Polish
Mounts: Cast brass, bright gold finish
Country of Origin: Egypt
SKU: TABCOR6997

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every element of this table — from the individual veneer pieces in the marquetry to the positioning of each ormolu mount — is set and finished by hand at the Brass & Wood workshop in Egypt. The French-polished surface is built up in multiple sessions, each layer hand-rubbed to a warm, deep lustre that no spray finish can replicate. The result is a piece that honours the original Second Empire cabinet-making tradition while being produced to modern standards of precision and material quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this table made from?

The structure and top are built from solid mahogany finished in French polish. The decorative top features hand-laid multi-species wood marquetry. All ornamental mounts are cast brass with a bright gold finish.

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — the pedestal column and base arrive as separate components and are secured with a single fitting. No specialist tools are needed.

Can this table be customised?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customisation of the wood finish tone and brass colour (antique gold, bronze, or silver options available). Contact us before ordering to discuss your requirements.