A late 20th Century sculptural French console with hand carved dog supports, later hand painted striking faux marble top and aged and distressed paintwork
At a Glance - Appeal, Desirability & Collectibility
• Origin: France
• Date: late 20th century
• Material: Later Hand Painted with faux marble top - hand carved wood
• Design: Two stylised carved dogs forming the front supports
• Finish: Distressed off-white base with timeworn patina; faux marble top in dark greys and whites
• Unique detail: Exceptionally detailed hand carving throughout - fur texture, facial modelling, tailwork, and moulded frieze detailing to the top and base
• Configuration: Console table with sculptural animal supports, moulded apron and plinth base for strong architectural presence
• Condition: Good overall with intentional time-worn aged/distressed finish consistent with the design
• Dimensions: H: 75cm (29.5") | W: 118cm (46.5") | D: 45cm (17.7")
• Delivery is not included – please use the Request Delivery Quote feature located beside the ‘Add to Basket’ tab before completing your order
• Desirability:
• Unique sculptural form: The carved dog supports create a memorable and decorative silhouette
• Master Craftsmanship: Beautiful decorative artistry - very well executed faux marble top with convincing veining and tonal depth - aged patina add authenticity and charm
• Statement furniture: Ideal for hallways, living rooms, or as a feature in an eclectic interior
• Richly decorative with hand carved detailing: Combines classical form with playful subject matter - hand-worked fur and mouldings reward close viewing
• Ready to place: Solid, well-proportioned, visually balanced, and full of character
Heritage, History & Craftsmanship
An unusual and highly decorative French console table dating to the late 20th century, distinguished by two carved dogs that form the front supports and give the piece its sculptural presence. The base is finished in a softly mottled, distressed off-white paintwork with an intentionally timeworn patina - gentle in tone yet full of depth - while the top is painted in a dramatic faux marble effect, with dark grey veining across a pale ground, bringing crisp contrast and an architectural finish.
What elevates this console is the quality of the carving. The stylised dogs are not merely decorative supports but carefully modelled figures, with finely worked fur texture, expressive faces and elegant stance. The moulded detailing along the apron and base further enhances the sense of craftsmanship: it reads almost like a small architectural fragment reimagined as furniture, with the dogs acting as guardians of the form.
Animal-form furniture has a long European lineage. From the 18th and 19th centuries onward, carved beasts - lions, dogs and mythical creatures - were used in interiors as symbols of loyalty, protection and strength, while also offering a playful display of the maker’s skill. In the late 20th century, these classical motifs enjoyed a revival: traditional carving and decorative finishes were reinterpreted with a more whimsical, conversational spirit, designed to delight as much as to furnish.
Faux marble painting belongs to that same tradition of decorative virtuosity - the art of simulating costly materials through skilled paintwork and glazing. Here it provides the perfect counterpart to the carved base: elegant, graphic, and rich in tonal variation.
A remarkable French console table, combining sculptural imagination, fine hand carving and decorative painting - a distinctive piece that brings character, craftsmanship and quiet humour to an interior.
Heritage, History & Craftsmanship
Styling Suggestions
• Place in a hallway beneath a mirror to create an immediate focal point with architectural presence
• Use as a console behind a sofa, where the sculptural dogs read as functional art from multiple angles
• Style with a single table lamp and a small stack of books to keep the look confident and uncluttered
• Works beautifully with antiques and classical pieces, yet equally striking against clean contemporary walls
• Pair with brass, blackened metal or carved gilt frames to echo the table’s interplay of texture and tone
• Ideal for an eclectic interior: mix with modern art, ceramics, or sculptural objects for a curated look
• In a country house setting, let it bring a touch of wit and formality to a passage or landing
• For maximum impact, position where side lighting can pick out the carved fur, mouldings and veining
Explore Every Facet
Our high-resolution photographs let you examine this piece in detail, exactly as you would in the showroom. These images form an essential part of the condition report and are intended to provide complete transparency and confidence in your purchase.
Study the carved modelling of the dogs - the fur texture, facial detail and paw work - along with the moulded edges and the faux marble top, where the veining and tonal variations reveal the artistry of the finish.
Sustainable Style
Thank you for considering this Decorative French Console Table with Dog Supports - a choice that is both culturally and environmentally responsible … in every sense, the most sustainable item is the one that endures.
This piece celebrates the continued value of decorative craftsmanship: carved, finished and made to provide both function and pleasure over time. Choosing characterful vintage furniture preserves existing materials, supports traditional skills, reduces waste, and brings individuality and layered texture into modern interiors.
Purchase with Confidence
White’s Antiques carefully selects every item for authenticity, character, craftsmanship, and decorative presence - ensuring that each piece carries both aesthetic and historic value. Each item is described and photographed with care, ensuring complete transparency and confidence in your purchase. We are an established and successful business serving both trade and private collectors. You are warmly invited to visit our shop at 53 High Street, Arundel, and our Showroom at The Vinery, Poling, West Sussex, to experience our curated collections firsthand, explore the stories behind each antique, and appreciate these timeless treasures in person.
measurements
Height:
75 cm
Width:
118 cm
Depth:
45 cm
measurements
declaration
Whites Antiques has clarified that the French Console Table with Hand Carved Dog Supports - Later Painted with & Faux Marble Top (LA556700) is genuinely of the period declared with the date/period of manufacture being 20th Century