OF LOUIS XVI STYLE, BY ALFRED BEURDELEY, LATE 19TH CENTURY

Founded in around 1815 by Jean Beurdeley (1772-1853), the company's reputation was principally established by his son, Louis-Auguste-Alfred (1808-1882), who took over from his father in 1840, and grandson, Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis (1847-1919), who succeeded in 1875. Known chiefly for the refinement of its ormolu, whose mercurial gilding and hand chasing makes it difficult to distinguish from late 18th century work, and magnificent furniture copied from Louis XVI models in the Garde-meuble national, Beurdeley exhibited and won awards at all of the major International Exhibitions during the second half of the 19th century.