A suite of three Louis XIV style carved oak and parcel gilt sideboards

c. 1900

A suite of three Louis XIV style carved oak and parcel-gilt sideboards (or buffets) (French, c. 1900) from the workshops of Jules Allard & Sons, Paris. Each sideboard is rectangular with a fleur de pêche marble top above a conforming apron decorated with paterae and rectangular panels of diaperwork raised on legs featuring bellflower, acanthus, and shell carved parcel gilt legs. The chinoiserie female figures on two of the sideboards (.1a-b and .2a-b) are Orientalized and represent Asian caricatures with their exaggerated slanted eyes and “exotic” clothing. This reinforced the idea of a racial hierarchy that viewed white Americans as superior to and more powerful than non-western cultures.

. 1a-b = The apron below the marble top is carved at center with a stylized shell cartouche surrounded by scrolling leaves and bell flowers. The eight legs are joined by elaborate scrolling stretchers carved with acanthus leaves, bell flowers, and a raised chinoiserie female figure seated on a large acanthus leaf at center.

.2a-b = The marble top has an out-set center, below the apron is fitted with three cutlery drawers. Two chinoiserie female caryatids flank a pair of paneled cupboard doors. On either side of the cupboard doors are two tiers of shelves. The whole is raised on squat feet with gadrooned collars.

.3a-b = The apron below the marble top is fitted with three cutlery drawers. The central drawer is carved with a stylized shell cartouche surrounded by scrolling leaves. Below are two full length shelves, the upper shelf is raised on four acanthus and bell flower carved brackets. The front is supported by four legs ending in square feet with gadrooned collars, the back is solid paneled wood.

a = table; b = marble top

French

oak

marble

metal

.1= 37" x 91 1/4" x 28 1/2"

.2= 37" x 81" x 24 1/2"

.3= 37" x 76" x 23"

Purchased by The Preservation Society of Newport County, 1962.

PSNC.2739.1a-b-.3a-b