THIRD QUARTER 17TH CENTURY

The front stretcher of this side table is embellished with a cherub blowing a horn, surrounded by abundant foliate garlands carved with sunfowers, both referring to marital prosperity. Closely related cherubs in a similar position appear on designs for cartouches by Gerbrandt van den Eeckhout (1621-1674), published in a compilation of his designs entitled Plusieurs Nouveaux Compartements. The silvered decoration, which is probably original, is extremely rare. Several tables are decorated in a solid colour with gilded highlights, while others are marbleised or entirely gilded. This table is the only silvered example known to exist.