Command attention in any room with this monumental French table centerpiece (milieu de table). Crafted around the turn of the 20th century, this striking sculptural piece perfectly captures the grand, theatrical style of the Belle Époque. It features the authentic maker’s stamp of the prestigious Cuivrerie Saint-Éloi, making it a highly collectible acquisition for enthusiasts of fine French antiques.
Design & Craftsmanship
The focal point of the piece is its substantial, beautifully rounded dome carved from highly figured Breccia marble. The stone boasts a stunning, high-polished finish that highlights an intricate natural matrix of rich jasper-red, cream, and deep chocolate veins.
The marble is anchored by heavy, masterfully cast gilt-bronze (or brass) mounts. The base consists of a thick rectangular plinth resting on detailed lion-paw feet, with elegant acanthus leaf brackets wrapping around the sides to cradle the stone. Crowning the piece is a dramatic, realistically sculpted bronze serpent coiled tightly across the top, its head reared upward to create a powerful, dynamic silhouette.
The Maker’s Mark
The front of the bronze base features the crisp, stamped cartouche of Cuivrerie St-Éloi (Desclée Frères & Cie), a historic French manufacture founded in Roubaix in 1883. Renowned for their high-end artistic bronzes and exhibition-quality metalwork, pieces from this foundry are celebrated for their exceptional weight, crisp casting, and historical importance.
Dimensions:
Height: 30cm
Width: 20cm
Depth: 20cm
UK mainland delivery is available with this order. Shipping is priced in relation to the products weight.
