What is a table de nuit?

A table de nuit is the traditional French term for a bedside cabinet or nightstand. These pieces were designed to hold small personal items close to the bed, often combining a drawer with a small cupboard below.

Are these nightstands usually found in pairs?

Many of these bedside cabinets appear as matched pairs intended to flank a larger bed. Single examples also occur frequently depending on how bedroom suites were originally assembled and dispersed.

Why do many nightstands have marble tops?

Marble tops provided a durable, stain-resistant surface for water jugs and washing accessories before modern plumbing. This practical feature remains an integral design element of nineteenth-century French bedroom furniture.

How do I identify Louis XVI style?

Louis XVI style is defined by straight lines, neoclassical symmetry, and restrained geometric decoration. Characteristics include fluted tapering legs and bronze mounts inspired by classical architecture rather than the curves of the preceding Rococo period.