Leon Marcotte (1824–1887). <em>Table</em>, 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. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.4_top_bw_IMLS.jpg)

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. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.4_top_bw_IMLS.jpg)

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This table demonstrates the tendency in 19th-century American design to look at European history for design choices. This table is considered "Baroque Revival" in style and is based on 18th-century French design. There are also influences from Japan seen in the "ebonized" or blackened wood is meant to mimic lacquer.

This table is beautiful! What is it made of?

This table is made of ebonized wood, which is wood that has been chemically treated to become as dark as the hardwood ebony. The wood is inlaid with a brightly polished brass and is mounted with gilt bronze.

This table is absolutely a wonder!

Isn't it? To American eyes in the 19th century, anything French was fashionable! The curving lines of the legs are great example; the maker of this table was looking back to the early 18th-century French Baroque style for inspiration.

Was gold a popular accent for furniture?

Absolutely! Gilded bronze would catch the candlelight in the 18th century and gas light in the 19th. At night, the dark wood would appear to disappear and the gold elements would almost seem to float.

Is this the same reason for picture frames having gold designs?

Yes, that is probably true for picture frames as well. Gold leaf was also used to enhance the appearance of an object and make seem more expensive; sometimes gold leaf is used over an inexpensive material, such as plaster.

What styles influenced the design of this table?

Furniture design from the mid-nineteenth century took inspiration from several historical styles.

This table draws on many styles.The Rococo influence can be seen in the curvilinear silhouette and the curving, cabriole legs.. The French Baroque influence can be seen in the gilt bronze figures on the legs, and in the design for the medallion on the table top. The ebonized wood is made to imitate Japanese lacquer.

Is this Louis XV style?

Sort of! This is a revival of the Rococo style established in France under Louis XV. This is The large gilded bronze mounts would have been right at home at Versailles! Created around 1865, this table combines influences from the French Baroque and Rococo styles of the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

After the American Civil War, developments in steam travel meant more and more Americans were visiting the great palaces of Europe - and wanted to recreate some of what they saw back in the United States. In the second half of the nineteenth century, it became common practice to stain woods dark so that they resembled ebony or lacquer.

Table

Decorative Arts and Design

The curves of this table’s legs and the brass inlay decorations on its top exemplify the eclectic mix of revival styles in the nineteenth century. The brass inlay on the top is inspired by the furniture made by André-Charles Boulle for Louis XIV, while the graceful curves of the legs and shaped top are indebted to the curvilinear, ornate Louis XV style.

Léon Alexandre Marcotte arrived in New York in 1848 with his brother-in-law Auguste Ringuet-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 styles in furniture and household furnishings.

MAKER Leon Marcotte, 1824–1887

MEDIUM Ebonized woods, brass, gilded metal

Place Made: New York, New York, United States

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) (show scale)

MARKINGS no marks

SIGNATURE No signature

INSCRIPTIONS no inscriptiions

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 86.4

CREDIT LINE Gift of The Roebling Society

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.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION 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. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.4_top_bw_IMLS.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 86.4_top_bw_IMLS.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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