Petite French Cherry Side Table From The Early 19th Century - 20" x 20"

With its gentle proportions and warm cherry glow, this petite French side table from the early 19th century embodies both simplicity and quiet refinement. The rectangular plank top rests above a plain apron fitted with a single drawer, its small brass button pull providing a discreet accent. Elegant tapered legs narrow gracefully to the floor, framing an under tier shelf, while stopped chamfers along the uprights and pegged joinery at the posts reveal careful craftsmanship. The cherry wood shimmers with a honeyed grain and subtle variation in tone. Gentle wear and stains from long use enrich the piece with authentic character.

The table’s simple lines and tapered legs reflect the late Louis XVI to Directoire style that continued into the early Restoration, when neoclassical clarity shaped even simple provincial furniture. Cherry was prized for its fine grain and warm patina, and this example shows the skill of a country workshop with its pegged mortise-and-tenon joinery. Used as an occasional or bedside table, its drawer kept small belongings close, while the lower shelf held books, a basket, or a water carafe.

Equally suited as a lamp table beside a club chair or as a nightstand in a bedroom, it brings warmth and quiet utility to both traditional and contemporary interiors. The mellow cherry pairs beautifully with leather or natural linen, and its petite scale allows it to slip easily into smaller spaces, adding an authentic, understated touch of French country refinement.