Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Her Majesty's Furniture: A Table 'En éventail,' 1560-1600

Center Table
Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau
1560-1600
The Victoria & Albert Museum





Designed as a Center Table, for the middle of a large room or foyer, this piece  was known for its fan-shaped supports as a table "en éventail" (fan). Tables like this have long been associated with Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau who published various, important designs for similar tables from 1550.

Du Cerceau, however, was not the inventor of this style, since the type of form appeared in Italy from the 1520s, and were probably inspired by then-antique marble tables.

This table has endured substantial restoration before its acquisition by the V&A in 1860.  Dating the piece, because of this, has proven difficult, but it most likely heralds from between 1560 and 1600. 







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