Pair of Empire style gueridon tables; Late 19th century.

Pair of Empire style gueridon tables; Late XIX century.
Mahogany veneered wood and marble tops.
Measurements: 78 x 84 cm (x2).
This pair of gueridon type tables responds to the canons of the Empire style, reinterpreted in a late context of fin-de-siècle historicism. With a circular plan and balanced proportions, the pieces are articulated on three supports in the form of zoomorphic legs, topped with claws and with carved and gilded feline masks, an ornamental resource characteristic of the imperial repertoire, inspired by classical antiquity and the Napoleonic imaginary.
The contrast between the veneered mahogany, with its warm tone and regular grain, and the gilded elements adds visual richness without being overly decorative, while the white marble tops add a note of nobility and functionality. The triangular structure of the base reinforces the stability of the whole and evidences a careful constructive design.
From the stylistic point of view, these tables reveal a correct execution and good quality craftsmanship, typical of workshops specialized in furniture of academic taste. Their influence is inscribed in the diffusion of the Empire style during the 19th century, when this formal language was consolidated as a symbol of elegance, order and prestige, prolonging its validity beyond its original historical context.