A French ormolu-mounted kingwood and parquetry cabinet

BY SCHMIT & CIE, PARIS, CIRCA 1890

Details

A French ormolu-mounted kingwood and parquetry cabinet
By Schmit & Cie, Paris, Circa 1890
The breakfront brèche violette marble top with a moulded edge, above a stepped pediment, fitted with a central cupboard door, inset with a semi-naked figure of a woman representing 'La Source' seated by an up-turned vase issuing water, with flower petals to her feet and with foliate and shell cartouche, the lock plate signed SCHMIT & CIE, PARIS, and flanked to each side by a smaller cupboard door, with parquetry inlay, each with an adjustable shelf to the interior, the corners mounted with scallop shells, the sides also with parquetry panels and scallop shell spandrel, on slender cabriole legs with scrolled feet
55 in. (140 cm.) high, 61½ in. (156 cm.) wide, 24 in. (61 cm.) deep

Lot Essay

One of the great Parisian cabinet makers, Frédéric Schmit specialized in producing high quality furnishings and meubles de fantaisie. Throughout his career he appears to have worked in the centre of the furniture making district, the Faubourg St Antoine. He was established at 9 rue de Charonne from 1856; in 1870 the company provisionally became Schmit, Alavoine et Piollet, at 9 and 24 rue de Charonne; in 1874, it became Schmit et Piollet at 20 rue de Charonne, and at 22 from 1876. The business became known as Schmit Successeur around 1888. He received Gold Medals at the 1878 and 1889 Exhibitions in Paris, and was always considered to make pieces of the finest quality.

A virtually identical cabinet, with marquetry panels, was sold at Sotheby's, London, 24 May 1996, lot 266.

More from The 19th Century Interior

View All