An Early 19th Century Empire Period Mahogany Gueridon

An early nineteenth century mahogany gueridon, the circular Belgian marble top set upon a round frieze above a three-sided concave tapering stem terminating in swan-necks above a concave triangular plinth, all raised on castors.

The gueridon, an occasional centre table, is a well known form in French furniture design. This example specifically relates to Classical sources. It is very pure in its drawing and the swan neck iconography is often found in Empire furniture design: it relates specifically to the story of Leda and the Swan in Greek mythology The God Zeus transformed himself into a swan in order to seduce Leda who bore him two children – Helen and Polydeuces.