An Antique Italian Louis XV Style Kidney-Shaped Side Table (Late 19th Century)
Kidney-shaped side tables show up often in estate homes because they were made to be useful: small enough to tuck next to a chair, elegant enough to live in a formal salon, and easy to move. When you see Italian Louis XV style attached to one of these tables, it usually means a late-19th-century or early-20th-century revival piece that borrows Rococo French curves—cabriole legs, sinuous apron lines, and ornate mounts—rather than a true French-period table from the 1700s.
This guide walks you through what to look for when you’re trying to authenticate, date, and value a late-19th-century Italian Louis XV-style kidney-shaped side table—especially when condition is mixed (small veneer chips, edge bruises, or a drawer defect). It also includes a practical value range and selling checklist.
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What “Italian Louis XV style” usually means
Louis XV (Rococo) furniture originated in France in the mid-18th century (roughly 1730–1770). The defining vocabulary is all about curve and movement: cabriole legs, asymmetrical carving, rounded corners, and “serpentine” front rails. In Italy, especially in the late 1800s, makers produced high-quality revival furniture that referenced these forms for grand homes and export markets.
So, when a catalog or appraisal calls a piece Italian Louis XV style, you should read it as: “made later, in Italy, in a Rococo-inspired shape.” That’s not a negative—many late-19th-century examples are extremely well made and can be very decorative.
Quick identification checklist (what to photograph)
If you’re trying to verify age and quality, focus on documentation. These are the views that help the most:
- Top surface: show veneer pattern (marquetry), edge banding, and any losses.
- Underside of the top: look for saw marks, secondary wood, and how the top is attached (screws, blocks, brackets).
- Drawer construction: close-ups of dovetails, runners, and the back of the drawer.
- Hardware and mounts: screws, keyhole escutcheons, pull plates, and any gilt bronze/ormolu elements.
- Leg and foot profile: cabriole legs and toes/scroll feet are style “tells.”
- Overall scale: include a tape measure; kidney tables vary widely in value depending on size and presence/absence of a drawer.
Kidney-shaped tops: why this form matters
The kidney shape is a practical Rococo-inspired silhouette: a soft, asymmetrical oval that reads elegant without being fussy. On a side table, it often pairs with:
- A single central drawer (or sometimes two shallow drawers).
- A curved apron conforming to the kidney outline.
- Light, tapered cabriole legs rather than heavy stretchers.
Some period-inspired examples were designed with a removable tray-like top. If yours has a lift-off top or evidence of retaining clips, mention it—it can be a selling point.
Materials, marquetry, and bronze mounts
Most Italian revival kidney-shaped tables are built with a solid-wood framework and then finished with decorative veneers. Typical signals include:
- Primary structure: beech, poplar, or walnut are common Italian choices for carcase parts.
- Decorative surface: marquetry (inlaid veneer patterns) or bookmatched veneer on the top. Light woods (boxwood, satinwood tone) are often used for contrast.
- Mounts: gilt bronze/ormolu-style mounts may be present at corners, escutcheons, or leg knees. True ormolu is more associated with earlier French practice, but the term is used broadly in the market.
When mounts are original and crisp (not soft-cast reproductions), they can materially help the resale appeal. Conversely, bright modern screws, new-looking plates, or obvious replacements usually suggest later repairs—or, in some cases, a later reproduction.
How to date a table to the late 19th century
Dating furniture is a “weight of evidence” exercise. No single clue is perfect, but together they form a reliable picture. For late-19th-century Italian revival tables, look for:
- Tooling marks: circular saw marks and more uniform planing are consistent with later 1800s production.
- Fasteners: slotted screws can be period-appropriate; Phillips-head screws almost always indicate 20th-century replacement.
- Finish behavior: an older shellac/varnish finish often shows fine checking and warm oxidation; thick modern polyurethane can look plasticky.
- Wear patterns: honest wear on the underside edges, drawer runners, and leg toes is more convincing than “antiqued” surface distressing.
- Construction logic: drawers with hand-cut or early machine-cut dovetails are more consistent with 19th-century work than perfectly uniform modern dovetails.
A lack of a maker’s stamp is common on Italian artisan or workshop furniture. Attribution is usually by region/style rather than a named cabinetmaker unless provenance is strong.
Condition issues that move the value
Small tables live hard lives—cups, lamps, and constant moving. The market is forgiving, but certain problems do reduce value:
- Top edge damage: bruised corners, chipped veneer, or missing edge banding are immediately visible. A minor loss on the top (like a chip on the right-hand edge) typically knocks the value down more than a hidden structural repair.
- Marquetry lifting: if the inlay is lifting or missing pieces, restoration can be specialist work.
- Drawer defects: a split drawer front, missing veneer, or a broken pull/escutcheon affects both function and presentation.
- Loose joints: wobble in legs or apron joints suggests glue failure; a good repair is possible, but buyers discount for it.
- Wormholes: old inactive worm can be acceptable; active infestation is a major red flag.
Appraisal value and realistic market ranges
For a late-19th-century Italian Louis XV-style kidney-shaped side table, typical retail/asking ranges often cluster in the low hundreds unless the table is unusually fine (high-grade marquetry, strong provenance, exceptional mounts, or a matched pair).
In the legacy appraisal notes for a comparable piece described as solid wood with bronze and light marquetry, the indicated value range was $400–$500. Minor top-edge damage and a small defect on the drawer front were considered in that valuation.
| Market tier | Typical range (USD) | What tends to qualify |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $150–$300 | Noticeable veneer loss, replaced mounts, or unstable legs. |
| Mid | $300–$700 | Good presentation, functional drawer, attractive marquetry, minor wear. |
| Premium | $700–$1,500+ | Exceptional mounts, high artistry marquetry, strong provenance, pair/matched suite. |
These ranges change by region and selling venue. For insurance replacement or a formal estate appraisal, values can be higher than local cash-sale pricing.
How to sell it (and how to describe it)
If you’re selling, your goal is to make the table easy to trust. That means good photos, clear measurements, and a description that doesn’t overclaim.
- Best venues: estate auction houses, antique dealers (for convenience), or online platforms where shipping is manageable.
- Best photos: top, underside, both sides, back, drawer open/closed, close-ups of marquetry and mounts, and any damage.
- Keywords that help: “Italian,” “Louis XV style,” “kidney-shaped,” “marquetry,” “gilt bronze mounts,” “cabriole legs,” “antique side table.”
- What to avoid: claiming “Louis XV period” unless you have strong evidence it’s 18th century.
A safe, market-friendly description looks like: “Italian Louis XV-style kidney-shaped side table, late 19th century, veneered top with marquetry, gilt bronze mounts, one drawer; minor top-edge chip and small drawer-front defect.”
FAQ
Is a Louis XV style table automatically French?
No. “Louis XV” describes a French design language; Italian (and many other) workshops produced revival pieces in that style.
Does refinishing ruin value?
Heavy stripping usually reduces collector appeal, but careful cleaning and conservation polishing can be appropriate. If the finish is failing badly, a high-quality refinish may improve marketability—just disclose it.
Do bronze mounts need to be gilt?
Not always. Some mounts were originally gilded and have worn; others were simply brass/bronze tone. Uniform bright gold color can indicate modern re-gilding.
Search variations collectors ask
Readers often Google variations like:
- how to date an Italian Louis XV style kidney-shaped side table
- kidney shaped side table with marquetry top value
- late 19th century Italian Louis XV revival table identification
- what are ormolu mounts on antique tables
- how to tell if marquetry is real or veneer
- how to photograph antique side table for appraisal
- Italian kidney table appraisal $400 $500 range
- best way to sell a small antique side table online
Each question is answered in the valuation guide above.
References
- Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) – Rococo furniture and decorative arts overview.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art – European furniture collection essays.
- General furniture construction references on veneer, marquetry, and period fasteners (for dating).
