Console was first introduced there as a small, ornamental piece of furniture with theatrical designs and fine, sophisticated details, in France in the 17th century. Some part of the origins of console tables also lies in Italian architecture and furniture design. Originally, console tables were shaped like a half-moon or a crescent that was affixed to the walls with the help of a curved bracket known as a ‘console.’ The brackets mainly served the purpose of supporting the table top. French architects gave these half-moon shaped tables little legs in the front to make them appear as free-standing. Console tables were very popular in the 19th century as well.
During the Biedermeier period in Austria and Germany the console table design was unpretentious and stood out for its geometric form and exquisite wood veneer.