FRENCH EMPIRE GUERIDON PORPHYRY
French Empire gueridon porphyry. Polished steel base with gilt bronze details, porphyry-veneer top. Available in custom dimensions and custom finishings.
Porphyry is any various rocks with crystals such as feldspar or quartz dispersed in a fine-grained silicate-rich. In is traditional use, the term porphyry usually refers to the purple-red form of this stone. Valued for its appearance, other colours of decorative porphyry are also used such as “green”, “black” and “grey”.
The guéridon reappeared during Louis XVI’s reign, typically as a single-legged table ending in three feet in the Empire period. It supported light objects and drew inspiration from antique examples, like those from Herculaneum and Pompeii. Highly fashionable, it often stood at the center of a salon. Its central position made it both practical and a key decorative element.
Napoleon I drove the development of the Empire style, which evolved from the Louis XVI aesthetic. Designers embraced grand furniture to mirror the Emperor’s authority and grandeur. Small pieces like the somno, athénienne, and guéridon became common in salons and private rooms. Egyptian and classical motifs heavily influenced the designs, symbolizing power and elegance. Rich materials like mahogany, gilt bronze, and marble added to its luxurious appeal. The Empire style blended formality and opulence, leaving a lasting legacy in decorative arts.
Vosges fabricates luxury Empire and Neoclassical style chairs, beds, sofas, lamps, tables and likewise pieces of furniture. We can use drawings provided by architects and designers. As a result, Vosges adapts dimensions, materials and finishings to your own’s specifications.
Sources: Wikipedia
Photo: Thomas Hennocque
