A FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED BRECHE VIOLETTE MARBLE VASE

Established by Théodore Millet in 1853, the Maison Millet operated until 1902 from premises at 11, rue Jacques-Coeur, Paris, before relocating at 23, boulevard Beaumarchais. Specializing in 'meubles et bronzes d'art, genre ancien et moderne', with the accent on Louis XVI antecedents, Maison Millet was awarded medals at many of the late 19th century Universal Exhibitions. An auction of the firm's inventory was held in 1906 and they ceased trading in 1918.
There are several examples of this model further mounted as a pendule à cercle tournants, examples of which sold Christie's, New York, 29 March 2000, lot 230 ($48,300) and Bonhams, Los Angeles, 3 December 2012, lot 101 ($46,250).