Library table

The influence of Egyptian motifs in decorative furnishings during the nineteenth century began with Napoleon's Egyptian military campaign of 1798 and was reinforced periodically through archaeological discoveries widely published in newspapers and journals. In the 1860s and 1870s, the taste for Egyptian motifs was popularized by developments as diverse as the construction of the Suez Canal and the premiere of Verdi's opera "Aïda," which featured elaborate Egyptian-style sets and costumes. Interior spaces, particularly libraries, soon reflected this renewed interest in exotic ancient cultures.

This library table is an excellent example of Egyptian-style furniture. The ox-hoof feet, pylon-shaped bronze plaques, and winglike central pendant on the sides of the table all derive from ancient sources. As well as for its splendid gilt and ebonized ornament, this table is also important for its innovative design, with its unusual placement of drawers that pull out diagonally from each corner. Special care was also taken with the design of the top, which was covered in soft baize fabric so that books and papers used in the library would not be damaged by a hard surface.

"Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection," page 235