Console table

Richard de Lalonde

1780–90 · Carved and painted oak; white marble top · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Several console tables of this design, with a demi-lune-shaped top, a frieze carved with trailing foliage and pearls, resting on three pierced and scrolling supports which end in claw feet, are known. The form is derived from a design by the decorateur-dessinateur Richard de Lalonde (active 1780-90). Lalonde worked as part of the team of designers and architects in the Menus Plaisirs and subsequently the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne. These departments were responsible for the preparations of ceremonies, major events and festivities and for the order, upkeep, storage and repair of the furniture and art in the French Royal palaces. This console is part of the pieces of woodwork and furniture formerly in the possession of the French decorator and dealer, Georges Hoentschel, whose collection was acquired in 1906 by the financier J.P. Morgan, and which formed the founding gift to the MMA of the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Department.

Artist

Richard de Lalonde

Date

1780–90

Medium

Carved and painted oak; white marble top

Culture

French

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1906