A Pair of Napoleon III Ormolu-Mounted Inlaid Boulle Pier Cabinets

A Pair of Napoleon III Ormolu-Mounted Inlaid Boulle Pier Cabinets

c.1850’s, France

These pair of Very Fine Boulle Pier Cabinets showcaes intricacies of brass marquetry which are complemented by ormolu motifs of Scallop Shells, Acanthus with beading, Gadrooned leaves and water leaves (feuilles d’eau) moulding all very typical of the Régence style.

Each pair consisting of a plank marble top with foliate moulding situated above a large raised central door framed again with water leaves flanked by inlaid brass foliate decorative scroll work.

An image, evocative of the far east, presents itself as the central focus of the door panel, with an oriental figure swinging under a pagoda style design suspended underneath by figurative caryatids.

Each door opens to two (2) original and adjustable ebony shelves with a fine decorative double inlaid brass fillet at the front. On the first Cabinet the key escutcheon plate is located on the left side and the second Cabinet the key escutcheon plate is located opposite on the right. The whole raised on plinth bases. Decorative Key provided.

Centred with Apollo mask The Boulle style is a distinctive marquetry technique consisting in decorating the base wood with other types of wood and metals such as silver, bronze, tin, brass, as well as ivory and tortoiseshell.

This particular design in attributed to the style of Nicolas Saegot