Gold Occasional Table
These gold occasional table pieces bring metallic lustre and compact utility to a room, ranging from giltwood tripod stands to heavy marble-topped gueridons.
Gold Occasional Table
A gold occasional table covers a diverse array of small furniture designed for specific tasks like serving wine, holding lamps or displaying ornaments. The selections here span the nineteenth century, the Regency era and early twentieth century revivals.
You will frequently encounter French gueridons, Italian marble-topped lamp tables and Chinoiserie lacquered tiers amongst the listings. These versatile forms include nesting tables, tray stands, plant stands and sewing tables.
Origins stretch from English workshops to continental ateliers, incorporating styles from Neoclassical and French Rococo to Hollywood Regency and Mamluk Revival. Each piece reflects the decorative priorities of its specific period of manufacture.
Materials and construction methods
Makers utilised solid timbers such as mahogany, walnut and oak as foundations, applying gold leaf, gesso, or giltwood finishes to create the characteristic metallic sheen. Ormolu mounts, brass detailing and cast brass components provide structural emphasis and decorative contrast.
Surface treatments often include applied lacquer, hand-painted Chinoiserie motifs, penwork, or vernis martin decoration. Heavy stone elements like green marble, white marble and onyx form durable, polished table tops inset into wooden or metal frames.
One unexpected survivor is a heavy Cairo-ware kursi stand inlaid with silver and gold for Eastern-inspired interiors.
Distinguishing quality across pieces
Quality rests in the crispness of the carving, the weight and thickness of the marble or onyx tops, and the integrity of the gilding. Hand-applied gold leaf or intricate gesso moulding shows depth and handwork that mechanical finishing lacks.
The sophistication of the joinery and the pedigree of subsidiary materials, such as solid ormolu mounts rather than plated substitutes, elevate a piece. Structural stability in slender tripod bases and tiered frames also separates utilitarian items from finer examples.
The Gold Occasional Table Glossary
- Gueridon
- A small round table on a central pillar or tripod support, originating in seventeenth century France. These tables frequently feature marble tops and giltwood or brass frames.
- Étagère
- A set of open shelves or a tiered side table designed for displaying ornaments or holding small objects. Multi-tiered examples often incorporate lacquered or painted finishes.
- Giltwood
- Timber that has been coated with a thin layer of gold leaf or gold paint over a prepared gesso ground. This technique creates a bright metallic surface popular in Neoclassical and Rococo revival furniture.
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze or brass mounts applied as decorative ornaments to furniture. High quality pieces use mercury-gilt bronze for lasting brilliance and sharp detail.
- Cairoware
- Metalwork pieces featuring intricate silver and gold inlay upon brass or copper grounds, typical of Orientalist occasional tables and kursi stands from the early twentieth century.
Gold Occasional Table: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an occasional table?
An occasional table is a small, movable piece of furniture designed for intermittent use rather than a primary seating or dining function. Examples include lamp tables, wine stands and small side tables.
These pieces were made to be easily relocated around a room to hold drinks, books or lighting where needed.
What materials are used for the tops?
Table tops on these pieces vary widely according to period and style, featuring polished green marble, white marble, onyx or solid wood. Some incorporate inlaid metals, leather inserts or lacquered papier-mache.
Heavier stone surfaces often rest within carved wooden frames or brass galleries designed to keep items secure.
How do I care for giltwood?
Giltwood surfaces require gentle dusting with a soft, dry brush to avoid disturbing the delicate gold leaf layer. Moisture and chemical cleaners should be strictly kept away from the gilded ground.
Positioning these tables away from direct sunlight and heat sources prevents the underlying gesso and wood from drying out and cracking.