French Style Side Tables
French style side tables bring elegance to a room, offering practical surfaces through refined design and classic forms.
French Style Side Tables
French style side tables encompass a variety of occasional, bedside, and lamp tables designed with continental elegance. Buyers browsing this selection frequently encounter bedside cabinets, etageres, and compact chests from the early twentieth century.
The forms span French Louis XV style, Empire style, and Neoclassical designs, often featuring bow fronts or kidney shapes. These pieces serve functional roles beside a bed or sofa while introducing distinct decorative character to an interior.
How they were made
Cabinet makers utilised a rich palette of timbers, including mahogany, rosewood, kingwood, and burr elm, frequently applied as veneers. Inlaid marquetry and gilt metal mounts or ormolu further embellished the wooden structures.
Marble tops frequently provided durable and luxurious surfaces, whilst brass detailing defined etageres and low demi lune tables. Painted finishes also appeared on specific provincial and occasional variations.
French Style Side Tables Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for french style side tables among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Several tables appear in pairs, perfectly matched for flanking a bed with symmetrical continental flair.
What varies in quality
The refinement of the marquetry inlay and the weight of the gilt metal or brass mounts distinguish finer examples from standard production. Superior execution shows in the crispness of the carving and the precise matching of wood veneers across curved surfaces.
The selection of materials, such as heavy marble tops and choice timbers like kingwood, elevates the standing of a piece. Structural integrity in the joints and drawers determines longevity in daily use.
Edwards and Roberts
The French Style Side Tables Glossary
- Marquetry
- Decorative patterns formed by fitting small pieces of veneer into a wooden support. This technique allows for elaborate floral or geometric designs across tabletops and drawer fronts.
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze or brass mounts applied to furniture for decorative accent. It frames drawers and highlights the corners of finer tables.
- Etagere
- An open tiered piece of furniture used for display or as a side table. These are frequently constructed from brass with multiple glass or wooden shelves.
- Kingwood
- A dense, richly figured timber native to Brazil, prized for its dark violet-brown colouring with lighter golden streaks. It was widely used in high-end French veneer work.
- Demi lune
- Half-moon shaped furniture designed to sit flat against a wall. This form includes low brass side tables and console variants.
French Style Side Tables: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I style a French style side table?
Pair these tables with complementary antique lighting, such as a small brass lamp or a ceramic candlestick, to enhance their decorative appeal. Keep surface items minimal to let the wood veneer or marble top remain the focus.
Position them beside low seating or as bedside cabinets where their compact proportions can be fully appreciated. Their distinct silhouettes work well against neutral walls that highlight their carved or inlaid details.
Are these tables sturdy enough for daily use?
Most pieces are constructed from solid hardwoods with robust veneer cores designed for practical domestic tasks like holding lamps or books. Marble-topped variants offer particularly durable surfaces for everyday placement.
Care should be taken with polished wood surfaces to prevent moisture marks by using coasters. Regular gentle dusting preserves the finish of both the timber and the metal mounts.
How do I identify a Louis XV style table?
Look for characteristic curved lines, cabriole legs, and asymmetrical floral ornamentation that define the Louis XV aesthetic. These pieces often feature serpentine fronts and subtle scrolling feet.
Later revivals from the early twentieth century faithfully replicated these flowing contours using period machinery and traditional hand-finishing. Examining the timber beneath and the style of the joinery helps confirm the age.
What is the difference between an etagere and a bedside cabinet?
An etagere is typically an open-tiered structure made of brass or wood designed for display and light storage. It offers multiple visible levels rather than enclosed compartments.
A bedside cabinet provides concealed storage through drawers or a cupboard door, often topped with marble or fine wood veneer. While both function as side tables, their internal organisation serves different practical needs.