Millet House (1856-1918). Happiness Of The Day Office

Maison MILLET (1856-1918). Bonheur du jour desk in kidney shape in rosewood, satinwood and lemonwood marquetry, decorated with crosspieces and fillets on all sides. It rests on four curved legs holding three drawers in a belt. The dark sliding top in gilded leather with small irons is topped by a curved step formed by a box and five drawers in two rows, and topped with a clock with a round white enamelled dial with chime. Rich rocaille ornamentation with clasps and foliage decoration in chiseled and gilded bronze on the falls, draw hands and lock entries. Four leafy candlesticks in chiseled and gilded bronze wind around both sides of the step and a warrior cupid seated on the lion, carrying a sword and a plumed helmet, surmounts the clock. Work from the end of the 19th century by the MILLET house, with signature in the center of the clock dial. Length: 112 cm - Depth: 63 cm - Height: 129 cm. Provenance: Private collection. The Millet house was founded by Blaise Millet, a bronze fitter in 1856. It was located at 50 rue Saint Sabin in Paris between 1889 and 1897 before occupying the Hôtel Mansart de Sagonne (23 boulevard Beaumarchais). Initially specializing in artistic bronzes and lighting, the Millet house extended its activity to decoration and furniture, sometimes collaborating with other bronze artisans or sculptors. From 1890, Théodore Millet expanded the house's activity in order to give it real growth. He was one of the few cabinetmakers to obtain access to 18th century furniture held in public collections, in order to enrich their knowledge and know-how. In 1902, Théodore Millet obtained permission from the Château de Versailles to make a replica of the Serre-bijoux executed by Schwerdfeger for Queen Marie-Antoinette. Millet participated in the 1889 World's Fair, where it received the gold medal. It participated in the Chicago World's Fair (1893), where Millet exhibited alongside Beurdeley, and then in the Saint Louis World's Fair in 1904. Millet was even represented in New York by Duryea and Potter at 469 Fifth Avenue. It definitively ceased its activity in 1918.