Napoleon III Planter with Parquetry Veneer Inlay

Object Identification

• Object name: Napoleon III Planter with Parquetry veneer inlay
• Date: Mid 19th Century
• Owner: Veronika Viklova
• Measurements: H 114.7 cm x W 50 cm
• Materials: Birch, mahogany, brass, ormolu, tin, brass, French shellac polish

Object Summary

Oval in shape, the table features beautiful parquetry with mahogany and satinwood inlay. The lid is adorned with lighter and darker stained woods, forming diamond patterns in the centre. Each side of the lid displays markings where the original brass handles were attached. Under the lid is a removable zinc tray, painted green on the inside and black on the outside. 

Surrounding the planter, a taller trim of brass crowns the top of the table lid, while thinner ingot mouldings outline the top and bottom outer edges of both tiers of the table. The inlaid belt is embellished with floral brass trimmings that connect to larger concave side pieces cascading partly down the tops of the cabriole legs, which are painted black. This planter rests on four feet, each originally covered with a brass toe cap, but now only one remains due to disassociation. 

This table is a mid-19th century Napoleon III Planter. These tables were originally used to display plants in the central basin and often served as centrepieces that decorated rooms. 

Lavish forms, characterised by decorative motifs and naturalistic human figures, define the Napoleon III style. Some elements from earlier styles typically used mahogany and were decorated with inlays, ormolu ornaments, and other decorative details, as seen on this object. 

Before cleaning bass decorative elements:

This object was conserved by Rubina Gurung and Francesca Neary. Find out more about them by clicking on the profiles below!