Émile Gallé Set of Four "Sunflower and Thistle" Nesting Tables
Regular price
$27,500
This exquisite set of four nesting tables showcases a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers, thistles of Lorraine in various stages of bloom, and a kaleidoscope of butterflies. The sunflower, a symbol of Provence, evokes the region’s iconic golden fields that captivate visitors from around the world. The thistle, emblematic of the Duchy of Lorraine, gained significance as a symbol of French patriotism after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, representing the nation's enduring hope for the return of Alsace and Lorraine. The tables feature particularly ornate carvings of thistles on their aprons, complemented by exceptional marquetry scenes on the tabletops. These intricate details make this model one of Gallé's finest examples of craftsmanship.
Item #: YF-21665
Artist: Émile Gallé
Country: France
Circa: 1900
Dimensions: 28.25" height, 23" width, 15.25" depth.
Materials: Fruitwood
Signed: Gallé
Literature: The Musée de l’École de Nancy has a similar set of Gallé tables in their collection, pictured in Meubles et Ensembles: Style 1900 by Édith Mannoni, Paris: Editions Charles Massin, P.6.
Item #: YF-21665
Artist: Émile Gallé
Country: France
Circa: 1900
Dimensions: 28.25" height, 23" width, 15.25" depth.
Materials: Fruitwood
Signed: Gallé
Literature: The Musée de l’École de Nancy has a similar set of Gallé tables in their collection, pictured in Meubles et Ensembles: Style 1900 by Édith Mannoni, Paris: Editions Charles Massin, P.6.
Gallé moved to open a small woodworkers shop in 1885, where he began experimenting in marquetry designs in furniture of his own. The plants that adorn his pieces are highly varied, and insects were a frequent theme, with many of his pieces containing butterflies, dragonflies, and beetles. Capturing his natural subject matter with scientific accuracy was a notable accomplishment in Gallé’s work, while infusing it with unmatchable beauty is what he is most celebrated for.
Gallé moved to open a small woodworkers shop in 1885, where he began experimenting in marquetry designs in furniture of his own. The plants that adorn his pieces are highly varied, and insects were a frequent theme, with many of his pieces containing butterflies, dragonflies, and beetles. Capturing his natural subject matter with scientific accuracy was a notable accomplishment in Gallé’s work, while infusing it with unmatchable beauty is what he is most celebrated for.
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