Exceptional Mother-of-pearl Lace For A Hairdresser From The Napoleon III Period.

Very elegant Work Table in a box with necessary for Ladies also called Work Table covered on its rectangular shape slightly scalloped with a veneer of ebonized pear wood. Designed in harmony with the nature and the design of this piece of furniture dedicated to the feminine gender, a virtuoso marquetry variegated with mother-of-pearl and re-engraved gilded brass haloes like a fine guimpure with the most sophisticated openwork the upper plate as well as the front of its chest. Festooned with small flowers, studded with pearls, a luxuriant foliage of fleurons, palmettes and scrolls of leafy acanthus lined with an exquisite floral garland braid the top. Set with a brass listel and an undulating gilded bronze rod decorated with a pearl, this delicate inlay work arranged in a band ingeniously provides an appreciable reserve; centered on a sober oval cartouche, the latter thus allowed to accommodate small items necessary for sewing, embroidery (thimbles, pin cushion, etc.), work in progress or luxurious illustrated fashion magazines (La Corbeille à ouvrage illustrée, 1854. la Revue des Demoiselles, le Journal des Dames, 1860-1870) highly prized for the artistic "models of Ouvrages de Dames" proposed in their pages by the feminine Cénacle of the time. On the front of the chest, just as subtle is the marquetry composition that unfolds in symmetry around the entrance to its lock. Blooming, Anenomes, Nasturtiums, Daisies, Pansies, etc. arranged in aerial hanging garlands brighten with their spring flowering scrolls and foliage of acanthus. Emblematic of the ambient "sentimentalism", this pretty floral decoration flanks a large mounted Cup generously garnished with flowers and fruits - pears, pomegranates, apples, quinces - associated with fertility, feminine tenderness.
A true technical feat, this trompe-l'oeil marquetry of mother-of-pearl and brass undoubtedly evokes by the shapes, the ornamental repertoire required the borders, the "floral fantasies" with which, in a half-century called "Upholsterer", every worthy Mistress of the House patiently enriched fabrics, canvas in order to personalize her interior or to create for her loved ones small "handmade tasteful objects".
Dedicated to feminine "recreational work", this Table-Worker offers all the conveniences. Open, its darkened top with a mirror reveals a large box in rosewood veneer with a removable compartmentalized locker. Under its frame, a small sliding drawer reveals a second compartment in the shape of a pyramidal trunk. Sewing and embroidery accessories, threads and skeins, textiles, balls of wool and ribbons... nestled pleasantly.
Finely chiseled, a set of gilded bronzes in Louis XV finery (Rocaille cartouches, shell-palmette falls centered on domed mirrors) embellished with graceful floral motifs (ingottière with interlacing foliage alternating with little flowers, ribbon garlands, rushes with floral scrolls) punctuate the sides, embrace, run through and illuminate the curved profiles of this piece of furniture set on four tall, slightly arched legs. The latter, set in half-sabots with leafy scrolls.
The absence of a stamp on this Table à Ouvrages de Dames is surprising. The elegance of its silhouette in the balanced neo-Louis XV, the high quality of execution as well as the ornamental refinement of its mother-of-pearl marquetry, the care taken in its adornment of gilded bronzes declining the feminine theme chosen for this piece of furniture immediately relate it to these "charming little pieces of artistic cabinetmaking furniture" at once "mirroring and coquettish" (Auguste Luchet, 1855) of which under the Second Empire the famous Parisian Houses Vervelle-Audot, Alix, Giroux or Tahan were the inconstable protagonists and masters.
Nowadays, we hardly embroider, stitch, crochet. Nevertheless, re-invested in End-of-sofa, Side table, pedestal table.., this Table-Worker "of an exquisite taste" will embellish like Yesterday any Living room, Bedroom in the heart of which it will be "of the happiest effect".
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Materials: Ebonized pear wood veneer, rosewood; mother-of-pearl and inlaid brass; gilded bronze; tin.
Dimensions: H.: 76 cm;-L.: 65 cm;-Pr.: 46cm.
Fine Parisian cabinetmaking work in the "Louis XV Style" from the second half of the 19th century. Napoleon III period, 1850-1860. High-quality work comparable to the small "Fancy Furniture" offered in particular by Maisons Alix, Vervelle-Audot, Giroux or Tahan.
In Perfect Condition. French polish. With its original key. Functional lock