French, 18th century. A weathered, distressed, or rustic oak table in the French Provincial version of the Rococo Louis XV style (1723-1774), the distressed rectangular top with serpentine front edge surmounting the scalloped apron decorated with incised letters PAX surmounted by a fleur de Lis within an oval frame, over a carved scroll, all raised on four cabriole legs. Approximate height 30", width 49.75", depth 24". Provenance: Property from the Private Collection of Helen Ballard, Atlanta, Georgia.

Table is structurally sound. Top exhibits some splitting, and scattered wood loss and scratches, as well as a large light circular discoloration. Feet have been ended out. The front edge of serpentine top exhibits wood loss. The section directly under the frieze exhibits a significant amount of prior worming no longer active. On the frieze, there is a large horizontal split across the oval “PAX” cartouche. Lower section of central shell drop broken off and sanded down. Back molding of front left leg exhibits loss near top of leg. Back right leg has a split near the top. Back frieze exhibits a large hole. Original feet have been “ended out” or later replaced.