Sebastien YOUF

(1771 - 1850)

Gueridon


Paris

Restoration period, reign of Louis XVIII, circa 1815-1820

Dimensions:
Without extensions: Height 30 11/16 in - Diameter 47 5/8 in (78 cm x 121 cm)
With extensions: Height 301 1/16 in - Width 118  ½ in - Depth 47 5/8 in (78 cm x 301 cm 121 cm)


The guéridon is of a simple yet powerful circular shape that reflects the neoclassicism of the imperial era. We can see that the very finest panels of beautifully nuanced mahogany crotch were selected. The base of the table is made of five curving legs that are connected to a central supporting crutch that is in the form of a five-pointed star. These violin-shaped branches are inlaid with a veneer of burr alderwood, an extremely precious wood that is very rarely seen on pieces at this time. The legs and central crutch are adorned with engraved and gilded decorative bronzes that show many of the motifs of the period: acanthus leaves, stylised rose and palm forms, fleurons, sharpened lion claws, crowns and, placed as the focal point of the base, a fretwork incense burner.

This guéridon also boats an exceptionally rare addition: two mahogany extensions with their own carved baluster legs were specifically produced to sit aside the magnificent circular green marble (marbre vert de mer) table top so as to permit the guéridon to be transformed into a dining room table.

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Another guéridon by Sébastien Youf, very similar to ours, is at the Château de Fontainebleau (Inv. N ° F759 C). However, it is distinguished by its white marble top while our guéridon has its original sea green marble top.

 
Enquiries +33 (0)6 08 26 24 94 +33 (0)1 49 26 90 40
- Louis DIMIER, Les Grands Palais de France. Fontainebleau 1ère série. Les appartements de Napoléon Ier et de Marie Antoinette. Styles Louis XV, Louis XVI, Empire, Librairie Centrale d’Art et d’Architecture, Paris, planche 1.

- Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Les ébénistes du XIXe siècle : 1795-1889. Leurs œuvres et leurs marques, les éditions de l’amateur, Paris, 1984.