Collections: Decorative Arts: Table

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Table

With its elegant curves and brass-inlay decoration on the top, this sumptuous center table is an extraordinary example of the nineteenth-century Rococo Revival of the French Louis XIV and XV styles. Léon Alexandre Marcotte arrived in New York in 1848 with his brother-in-law Auguste Rlnguet-Leprince, also a furniture maker. Marcotte ran the New York end of the partnership and Ringuet-Leprince traveled back and forth to Paris, making certain that their New York clients were supplied with the latest French taste in furniture and household furnishings.

• Maker: Leon Marcotte, 1824-1887
• Medium: Ebonized woods, brass, gilded metal
• Place Made: New York, New York, USA
• Dates: ca. 1865
• Dimensions: 30 1/2 x 57 1/2 x 37 1/2 in. (77.5 x 146.1 x 95.3 cm)
• Markings: no marks
• Signature: no signature
• Inscriptions: no inscriptiions
• Collections: Decorative Arts
• Museum Location: This item is on view in American Identities: A New Look, Expanding Horizons, 5th Floor
• Accession Number: 86.4
• Credit Line: Gift of The Roebling Society
• Image: Overall, 86.4_bw_IMLS.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Leon Marcotte (1824-1887). Table, ca. 1865. Ebonized woods, brass, gilded metal, 30 1/2 x 57 1/2 x 37 1/2 in. (77.5 x 146.1 x 95.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society, 86.4 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.4_bw_IMLS.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Table with ebonized woods, brass and gilded metal. Rectangular top with serpentine ends, turret corners and serpentine front and rear edges with central bow projection is edged with brass molding. Edge of ebonized wood top has double band of brass inlay and in center of top is elaborate Baroque-style brass inlay medallion. Side aprons are serpentine, outlined with double band of brass inlay which frames central acanthus ornament, gilt metal; gilt metal scroll border on lower edge. Front and rear apron serpentine with central bow projection, outlined with double band of brass inlay which frames central female head surrounded by wings and acanthus ornament on bow projection; gilt metal scroll border on lower edge. Entire front of apron opens as drawer. Below turret are cabriole legs ornamented with 3-dimensional caryatid figures in gilt metal, acanthus scroll in gilt metal at feet whorl. Cabriole legs rest on inverted bell and ball feet, ornamented with collar of gilt metal leafage. Cabriole legs connected by double C-scroll cross stretchers, each crested with gilt metal acanthus scrolls, meeting in center at shaped cylinder on which sits a squat urn with gilt metal handles, finial and ornament. CONDITION: Ebonized finish crazed throughout. Gilt metal mounts worn, gilding rubbed throughout. Top: Outer band of brass inlay missing, front ends and part of rear; inner band missing, part of rear. Brass inlay missing, lower left edge of central medallion. Note: a bag of missing inlay pieces accompanied table. Chips to wood around missing inlay. Outer band of inlay missing, lower proper left edge of front apron (drawer). Chips to wood, each end of drawer. Proper right apron: much of outer band missing in section near front; lower part of outer band missing, section near rear, other inlay loose. Veneer chipped near caryatids. Proper left apron; upper part of outer band missing, section near front; lower part of inner band missing, section near rear. Veneer chipped near caryatids. Rear apron: upper part of outer band missing, proper right side; lower part of outer band missing, proper left side. Some joints on legs are opening, most notably, proper left front foot. Small piece of gilt metal at bottom of acanthus missing, proper left front feet.