A FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED, BRASS-INLAID, EBONY AND TORTOISESHELL TABLE A OUVRAGE

This fine table exemplifies the Romantic historicism popular during the second half of the 19th century. Fashioned by the Maison Millet in the ancien régime inspired Rococo revival style, the table radiates the opulence of the Belle Epoque. The model, with its sinuous lines and flowing encadrement enclosing a painted panel, was reproduced using both kingwood and, like the present example, tortoiseshell veneers. Examples in tortoiseshell, which exude a sumptuous and exotic feel, are far more desirable.

Another tortoiseshell-veneered example of the present model table, signed by Millet, sold Christie's, New York, 24 October 2006, lot 409 ($114,000).

Please see lot 124 for a further note on Maison Millet.