This pair of fine meubles d'appui, executed in complimentary premiére and contre partie brass and tortoiseshell-inlaid marquetry, is based on the celebrated model by André-Charles Boulle, ébéniste, ciseleur, doreur et sculpteur du Roi from 1672 to 1732 (see Alexandre Pradère, French Furniture Makers, The Art of the Ebéniste from Louis XIV to the Revolution, Paris, 1989, p. 81).
Established in Paris in 1810, the firm of Wassmus Frères was fêted for high quality furnishings in the 18th century taste produced under the direction of Henri-Léonard. From 1853 the business traded from 146, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis supplying furniture to European royal houses and contributing to the Paris Exhibitions of 1855 and 1867. Wassmus, who received a court appointment from the Garde-meuble as a Fournisseur de la Couronne, was celebrated as an 'artiste supérieur'.
A single cabinet of the same model, executed by Wassmus's contemporary, Mathieu Befort, dit Befort Jeune, was sold at Christie's London, 28 September 2006, lot 53 (£84,000).