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Lot Essay
Georges-Alphonse-Bonifacio Monbro (1807-1884), the eldest son of ébéniste Georges-Marie-Paul-Vital-Bonifacio (1774-1841), saw his father's business become one of the leading Paris manufacturers of fine furniture. Monbro Flis were commissioned by prestigious clients, including Louis-Philippe and the Palais de Saint-Cloud, and their importance is underlined by the opening of London premises at Frith Street, Soho Square, in 1861.
The sinuous Louis XV form, similar in design to a table made by Foliot in the 1750s for the Château de Compiègne, is playfully combined with the mid-19th century taste for the exotic by the introduction of dragon entwined cabriole legs. The inclusion of pietre dure panelling highlights the technique for which the firm had a particular reputation.
Producing high-quality pieces in a diverse range of styles becoming of their display at the Exposition des produits de l'industrie française and the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1855, works by Monbro Fils are now preserved in the Musée d'Orsay and The Bowes Museum.
An identical centre-table stamped by Monbro sold in these rooms, 12 June 1997, lot 116. Another example of this model, also stamped by Monbro, the pietre dura spandrels with birds instead of fruiting sprays and without the foliate scrolling 'X'-shaped stretcher, was offered at Sotheby's London, 28 February 1997, lot 232.
The current table was formerly part of the famed collection of financier and philanthropist His Excellency Ilhamy Hussein Pasha at his beautiful villa on the exclusive peninsular of Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat.
The sinuous Louis XV form, similar in design to a table made by Foliot in the 1750s for the Château de Compiègne, is playfully combined with the mid-19th century taste for the exotic by the introduction of dragon entwined cabriole legs. The inclusion of pietre dure panelling highlights the technique for which the firm had a particular reputation.
Producing high-quality pieces in a diverse range of styles becoming of their display at the Exposition des produits de l'industrie française and the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1855, works by Monbro Fils are now preserved in the Musée d'Orsay and The Bowes Museum.
An identical centre-table stamped by Monbro sold in these rooms, 12 June 1997, lot 116. Another example of this model, also stamped by Monbro, the pietre dura spandrels with birds instead of fruiting sprays and without the foliate scrolling 'X'-shaped stretcher, was offered at Sotheby's London, 28 February 1997, lot 232.
The current table was formerly part of the famed collection of financier and philanthropist His Excellency Ilhamy Hussein Pasha at his beautiful villa on the exclusive peninsular of Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat.