Table with cast-iron base and marble top. The oval-shaped marble top sits on a cast-iron base with a decorative curtain with Rococo Revival style motifs, which appealed to the Victorian love of ornament and historicism. The four legs taper inward, then splay back out again. At the midpoint there are four wing-shaped stretchers, which connect the legs to a pierced shelf. This shelf was meant to hold a potted plant, and the holes allowed for water drainage. Indoors, cast-iron table bases frequently were fitted with marble or wood tops. Indoor table designs were usually more delicate and ornate than outdoor tables because they did not have to stand up to the rigors of weather and heavy use in the garden. Indoor tables were often smaller as well. They were found in halls, conservatories, and parlors and were often used as occasional tables to hold flowers, potted plants, lamps, or individual display pieces. The major characteristics of the art, architecture, and decorative arts produced in nineteenth century are historicism, eclecticism, and mixing multiple styles together. Rococo Revival style was the most popular style of the Victorian era in the United States. It emerged as early as the 1830s and continued to be seen into the 1900s. This style was modeled after eighteenth-century French designs, yet the revival of the style pushed elements further. Rococo Revival objects tended to be highly ornamental, with more substantial, less delicate forms, and visually dense decoration. This style is defined by its sense of movement and its delicacy, as well as curvaceousness, asymmetry, and curvilinear forms. Rococo Revival motifs included floral imagery, abundant swags of fruit and foliage, shell-like waves, ‘S’ & ‘C’ scrolls, rocaille decoration, serpentine curves, frozen water forms, volutes, acanthus leaves, and cabriole legs.
The major characteristics of the art, architecture, and decorative arts produced in nineteenth century are historicism, eclecticism, and mixing multiple styles together. Rococo Revival style was the most popular style of the Victorian era in the United States. It emerged as early as the 1830s and continued to be seen into the 1900s. This style was modeled after eighteenth-century French designs, yet the revival of the style pushed elements further. Rococo Revival objects tended to be highly ornamental, with more substantial, less delicate forms, and visually dense decoration. This style is defined by its sense of movement and its delicacy, as well as curvaceousness, asymmetry, and curvilinear forms. Rococo Revival motifs included floral imagery, abundant swags of fruit and foliage, shell-like waves, ‘S’ & ‘C’ scrolls, rocaille decoration, serpentine curves, frozen water forms, volutes, acanthus leaves, and cabriole legs.
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Cast iron tables were popular both in and out of doors in the nineteenth century. Cast iron pieces were made in components and bolted together; therefore, tables could be varied with the addition of a different section on the legs or a different top. The table bases might consist of center column support coming out of three feet or legs, usually three to four. The bases could be sold separately or with an optional table top. Foundries usually sold the table bases with all options of cast iron, wood, or marble tops available for sale. A matching suite of chairs and settee was also available in some designs.
