{"product_id":"early-20th-century-french-walnut-restaurant-hostess-counter-paris","title":"Early 20th Century French Walnut Restaurant Hostess Counter, Paris","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn unusual early 20th century French restaurant hostess counter handcrafted in walnut in Paris, circa 1900s. Originally made for use in a Parisian restaurant, the counter has a wonderfully distinctive kidney shaped form, with a gently concave front that would have allowed the hostess or maître d’ to stand comfortably behind it while greeting arriving guests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe thick walnut top follows the curves of the case below, with a softly molded edge and a subtle inset border emphasizing its unusual shape. A single drawer is positioned at the center of the working side and retains a handsome brass ring pull with a decorative floral backplate. Below, the open interior is fitted with a shelf and lower storage area, providing easy access to the practical necessities of running a busy dining room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis handsome hostess counter — an early predecessor of today's restaurant host stand — would have stood near the entrance of the restaurant, where the hostess or maître d’ greeted guests, managed reservations and seating, and kept menus, reservation books, writing materials, and other necessities close at hand. The drawer would have provided a convenient place for smaller items, while the open shelving allowed frequently used materials to remain readily accessible throughout service. At 40 inches high, its standing height further supports its original use as a working reception counter rather than a conventional piece of domestic furniture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes the piece particularly handsome is that its utilitarian function was given the same attention to detail as a piece intended for a well-appointed interior. The rounded exterior is paneled throughout with a continuous series of narrow recessed walnut panels, allowing the counter to present a finished, architectural appearance from the dining room side. A wide brass band wraps around the upper portion of the curved counter, with additional brass protecting the plinth at floor level. Beyond adding a decorative note, the lower brass would have helped protect the base from the inevitable knocks and wear of a busy restaurant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut has developed a a deep, mellow patina, beautifully complemented by the softly aged brass that provides a warm contrast to the walnut without overwhelming the simplicity of the form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, its original purpose translates remarkably well to a home. It could once again serve as a reception or hostess counter in a restaurant or shop, but would also make a fabulous bar, serving counter, kitchen or butler's pantry piece, or even a distinctive console. Its curved silhouette and paneled exterior make it especially appealing where it can be seen from more than one side — a rare survivor of the everyday furnishings that once helped a Paris restaurant run smoothly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eh - 40\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ew - 44\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ed - 20\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003e__________________________________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"height:8px; margin:0; padding:0;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex; align-items:center; margin:0; padding:3px 0 1px 0;\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1605\/5007\/files\/Mirror.png\" alt=\"Antique hand mirror\" style=\"width:41px !important; height:auto !important; display:block; margin:0 8px 0 4px; padding:0; transform:rotate(-18deg);\"\u003e\n  \u003cspan style=\"font-family:'Crimson Text', serif !important; font-size:27px !important; font-weight:700 !important; line-height:1 !important; margin:0 !important; padding:0 !important;\"\u003eA CLOSER LOOK REVEALS\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:left; margin:0; padding:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eParis, France\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eEarly 20th century, circa 1900s\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eType:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eRestaurant hostess counter \/ reception counter\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eWalnut with brass trim and brass hardware\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eForm:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eCurved kidney-shaped counter with finished paneled exterior\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTop:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eThick walnut top with softly molded edge and inset border\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDrawer:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eSingle center drawer on the working side\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHardware:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eBrass ring pull with decorative floral backplate\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eStorage:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eOpen interior with one shelf and lower storage area\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eExterior:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eContinuous narrow recessed walnut panels wrapping the curved outer face\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBrass Trim:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eWide brass bands around the upper curved ends with additional brass protecting the plinth at floor level\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOriginal Use:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eLikely positioned near a restaurant entrance for greeting guests, managing reservations and seating, and storing menus, reservation books, and other service essentials\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePatina:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eWarm aged walnut with subtle marks, softened edges, tonal variation, and mellowed brass consistent with more than a century of use\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCondition:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eVery good antique condition with age-appropriate wear\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUse:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eIdeal as a hostess counter, reception counter, bar, serving piece, kitchen or butler's pantry piece, or distinctive console\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e40\"H × 44\"W × 20\"D\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eIndividually\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Lolo French Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43726235500621,"sku":"LOPQ67","price":4700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1605\/5007\/files\/LOPQ67-8_clipped_rev_1.jpg?v=1788669318","url":"https:\/\/lolofrenchantiques.com\/products\/early-20th-century-french-walnut-restaurant-hostess-counter-paris","provider":"Lolo French Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}