Doe and Hope

Description

The elegant painted giltwood and gesso fireplace surround, doubling as a console table, having an attractively shaped top above a foliage decorated freize to a lower diaper decorated section with central cartouche, the slender shaped legs with reeded and further floral decorations, the whole surviving from the fourth quarter of nineteenth century France.

The piece is in decorative condition and is presented in good overall order. There are some sections of loss to the gesso and giltwood carved elements, notably to one of the feet. The carvings are a little delicate but mostly all in tact and the original paint has a wonderful patina, which has not been ruined by a second re-gilding process.

This beautifully proportioned piece does double up nicely as a console table as the top is deeper than that of most fireplace surrounds and so it is able to bear objects. Its size makes it ideal for tight corridors or entrance hallways.

A dainty and pretty piece that could be used just as easily as a table than as a fireplace surround.