Pair of 18th Century English Eagle Console Tables in the Manner of William Kent

Description

A Fantastic Pair of 18th Century English, George II Period Eagle Console Tables / Side tables in the Manner of William Kent, Finely Gilt on Carved Pine Wood. Each console table is composed of a shaped marble top resting above a fully carved giltwood base in the form of a spread-winged eagle perched on a stylized rocky outcrop. The overall silhouette follows a classic wall-mounted console format, with a broad front and relatively shallow depth. The composition emphasizes width through the eagle's extended wings, which rise slightly at the tips and support the marble slab along its underside. The top surface conforms to the structure beneath, with a serpentine front edge incorporating a central rounded projection flanked by two scrolled lobes at either end. The tops are made of cream-colored marble with warm veining, finished with a shallow molded edge and contoured in correspondence with the outline of the eagle’s wingspan. The surfaces are flat and polished, with no visible joinery on the upper face. Beneath the marble, the eagle’s head is turned to one side, and the wings are spread horizontally, providing both structural and visual support for the table top. The wing feathers are deeply carved in overlapping rows, while the body, legs, and talons are integrated into the central vertical support. The claws are shown gripping an irregular rockwork base that serves as the plinth of the entire composition. The entire base is carved from pine wood and gilded throughout, with varying surface textures to emphasize feathering and volume. The gilding is applied over a preparatory ground and burnished selectively, producing tonal variation across the carved elements. The eagle figure is presented in high relief, with attention given to feather layering, the detailing of the beak, and the articulation of the talons. The lower base is shaped as a jagged rock formation, painted in deep red tones, contributing to a simulated stone appearance beneath the gilt carving. These tables follow the sculptural format associated with the George II period and are closely related to designs produced by William Kent in the second quarter of the 18th century. The use of the eagle as a symbolic and structural motif, combined with the rockwork base and serpentine marble top, reflects Kent’s known approach to architectural furniture. While produced off the period, the present pair adheres to the stylistic vocabulary of Kentian design, replicating the dramatic visual impact and sculptural massing characteristic of his documented console tables. Construction details such as the integral carving of eagle and base, along with the seamless integration of top and support, align with furniture produced in the manner of Kent for grand domestic interiors. England, Circa: 1770 Dimensions: Height: 36 in. (91.4 cm) Width: 60.5 in. (153.7 cm) Depth: 35.5 in. (90.2 cm)

Details

Dimensions