ATTRIBUTED TO MAISON MILLET, PARIS, LATE 19TH CENTURY

Details

A FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED, BRASS-INLAID, EBONY AND TORTOISESHELL TABLE A OUVRAGE
ATTRIBUTED TO MAISON MILLET, PARIS, LATE 19TH CENTURY
The hinged top centred by a cartouche pierced encadrement enclosing a finely painted gouache scene of draped figures hunting birds in a landscape, opening to reveal a mirrored panel and fitted interior with three wells with embroidered silk-covered removable liners, above a wavy frieze on foliate-hipped cabriole legs joined by a shaped under-tier
29½ in. (75 cm.) high; 18 in. (45.5 cm.) wide; 14 in. (35.5 cm.) deep

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Sale room notice

This table is by, rather than attributed to, Millet. The foliate ormolu frame to the top of the lower tier has been removed to reveal five incised 'MB's for 'Millet Bronzier'.

Lot Essay

This fine table exemplifies the Romantic historicism popular during the second half of the 19th century. Fashioned by the Maison Millet in the ancien régime inspired Rococo revival style, the table radiates the opulence of the Belle Epoque. The model, with its sinuous lines and flowing encadrement enclosing a painted panel, was reproduced using both kingwood and, like the present example, tortoiseshell veneers. Examples in tortoiseshell, which exude a sumptuous and exotic feel, are far more desirable.

Another tortoiseshell-veneered example of the present model table, signed by Millet, sold Christie's, New York, 24 October 2006, lot 409 ($114,000).

Please see lot 124 for a further note on Maison Millet.

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