This is a fine antique French Directoire marble topped and ormolu mounted mahogany desserte / console table, dating from Circa 1840.
The rectangular shaped breche d''Alep marble top features a decorative three quarter pieced brass gallery over a frieze drawer decorated with beaded panels. It is raised on four elegant tapering and fluted Doric columns united by an undertier, the whole raised on cone shaped ormolu mounted feet.
The drawer and lock are stamped by the retailer ''MORISON & CO. / EDINBURGH''.
It has beautifully refined proportions and retains excellent colour and patination.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 91 cm x Width 79 cm x Depth 36 cm
Dimensions in inches:
Height 3 feet x Width 2 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 2 inches
Morison & Co.
were retailers, cabinet-makers and upholsterers established by Mathew Morison in Ayr, Scotland c.1808. It ceased to exist as a separate entity in 1902 when the business was sold to W. Turner Lord & Co. of London, who continued to use it as a trading name.
History
James Morison took over the business from his father. By the time of his death, 2 June 1862, the cabinet maker was based in Edinburgh and trading as Morison & Co. William Reid worked for the company and took over the business on James'' death.
William Reid''s eldest son William Robert Reid (1854–1919), was made partner in the business in 1884 as his father had become blind. William Reid senior died in 1895 leaving the business to W. R. Reid and his brother John Reid.The company expanded to become one of the leading cabinet makers in Scotland, and branches were opened in Glasgow and Manchester. W. R. Reid ran the company until he sold it in 1902, at the same time that he bought Lauriston Castle in Edinburgh.
The company was purchased by W. Turne
...r Lord & Co. of London who continued to use the Morison & Co. name for some time.[W. Turner Lord & Co. received an order to fit out most of the first-class accommodation of the Mauretania.
''The company was one of the first to undertake architectural restoration as part of everyday business and the first in Scotland to construct the interiors of trains-de-luxe, for which it became renowned''
Examples of Morison & Co. furniture can be seen at Lauriston Castle, and at Sambourne House in London.
Directoire
style was a period in the decorative arts, fashion, and especially furniture design in France concurrent with the Directory (November 2, 1795–November 10, 1799), the later part of the French Revolution. The style uses Neoclassical architectural forms, minimal carving, planar expanses of highly grained veneers, and applied decorative painting. It is a style transitional between Louis XVI and Empire.
The Directoire style was primarily established by the architects and designers Charles Percier (1764–1838) and Pier Franēois Léonard Fontaine (1762–1853). In its use of Neoclassical architectural form and decorative motifs the style anticipates the slightly later and more elaborate Empire style, which was introduced after Napoleon established the First French Empire.
It reflected the Revolutionary belief in the values of republican Rome.
Ormolu - Gilt Bronze (from French ''or moulu'', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as ''gilt bronze''.
Our reference: A4126
Internal Reference: A4126
Antique Number: SA1097128
Dateline of this antique is 1850
Height is 91cm (35.8inches)Width is 79cm (31.1inches)Depth is 36cm (14.2inches)
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