A PARCEL-GILT EBONY, EBONISED AND FRUITWOOD FLORAL MARQUETRY CENTER TABLE

In the 17th Century one of the first ébénistes who introduced floral marquetry in Paris was Pierre Gole (circa 1620-1685) who was born in Bergen in The Netherlands. In 1651 he became menusier en ébéne ordinaire du Roi and one of the most important cabinetmakers of the court of Louis XIV. From the beginning of the reign of Louis XIV, Paris was the centre of the arts and had a major influence on the rest of Europe. The fashion for this type of floral marquetry which was applied to cabinets, bureaux and tables such as the present lot spread to England, Flanders and the Netherlands.
Cf. R.J. Baarsen, 17th Century Cabinets Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam 2000.