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 Époque. The model, with its sinuous lines and flowing encadrement enclosing a painted panel, was produced using both kingwood and, like the present example, tortoiseshell veneers. Examples in tortoiseshell, which exude a sumptuous and exotic feel, are far more desirable.

Other examples of this model sold Christie's, New York, 24 October 2006, lot 409 ($114,000) and Christie's, London, 24 September 2008, lot 104 (£51,650).