19th Century French Silvered Bronze Mirrored “Surtout de Table” with Cherubs

$2,600

About

Decorate a dining table with this large antique “Surtout de Table”. Crafted in France circa 1870 and built of silvered bronze, the spectacular oval centerpiece is almost two feet in length. The decorative table tray stands on small feet, and is decorated with a pierced frieze gallery of cherub, ram and grape motif over the original mirrored plateau and wood parquet. The large Period Napoleon III “Surtout” is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich silvered finish. Some mercury loss on the mirror. A Surtout de table is an ornamental centerpiece displayed on a formal dining table, “a large centerpiece with mirrored plateaus and numerous candelabra and other possible display pieces on top”. In French Surtout de table is the usual term for any type of centerpiece, but in English this “tray” type, along with the objects placed on it, is the usual meaning. Evolving from a simple plate or bowl on which to stand candlesticks and condiments, a Surtout de table often took the form of a long galleried tray made of precious or gilded metals, on which a series of other objects were placed for display. It was often made in sections allowing its length to be determined by the leaves added to the table. During the later half of the 18th century and throughout the 19th century, no formal table was considered compete without one. Today, they are still seen and used in the most formal dining rooms. Christofle is a goldsmith and tableware company, founded in Paris in 1830 by Charles Christofle. The company is known for having introduced electrolytic gilding and silver plating in France in 1842. Today, mention of the name Christofle evokes both the elegance of a bygone era and the concept of innovative design. 22.5″W x 14″D

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