THE TOP POSSIBLY FLORENTINE, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

This ormolu-mounted, pietre dure, ebony and ebonised centre table is a fine example of the fashion for French 18th century revival furniture popular in the third quarter of 19th century France. The pietre dure panels of flat mosaic on the table top and bas-relief on the six side panels are typical of craftsmanship of private pietre dure workshops found in Florence in this period. The table support is undoubtedly inspired by Louis XVI prototypes, in particular the furniture of ébénistes such as Adam Weisweiler (d.1820). Due to the prolific number of different cabinet-makers working in Paris by the mid-19th century, it is difficult to attribute this table firmly. However, two makers in particular are known to have used hardstone mosaic. Firstly, Mathieu Befort, dit Befort Jeune, who specialised in 'furniture in the style of Boulle and in the use of bronze and hardstone' (D. Ledoux-Lebard, Le mobilier français du XIXe siècle, Paris, 1965, p. 29). Compare two Napoleon III pietre dure topped ebony bureaux plats; one in the Gilbert Collection (Massinelli, No. 34, pp. 106-107), the other sold Christie's, New York, 21-22 October 2010, lot 635 ($74,500). Secondly, the firm of Monbro fils aîné had a reputation for works incorporating Florentine pietre dure as shown at the Exposition des produits de l'industrie française and the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1855. Compare a Napoleon III pietra dure topped gueridon stamped Monbro, sold Christie's, New York, 24 October 2012, lot 256 ($35,000).