Louis XVI 18th Century Ormulo-Mounted Mahogany Console Desserte, circa 1760

This Louis XVI ormolu-mounted 18th century console Desserte by Jean-Jacques Manser. dit. Mantzer with Saint-Anne des Pyrenees marble-top has a pierced brass galleried undertier. Beautifully decorated with gilt bronze trim to the legs and fluted supports. The Desserte has concave-sides with gilt bronze applied ormolu inlay. The gilt bronze handles are of a laurel-leaf design and of a later period. It is stamped numerous times J.Manser, who designed furniture in the mid-late 18th century (1727-1780).

The front drawer is a 19th century replacement. The escutcheon is inscribed on the reverse ‘MB’ (Blaise Millet) for Maison Millet. (See below for information on this important bronze inlay maker of luxury furniture).

Measurements: 36 7/8 in. (94 cm.) high; 51 ¼ in. (130 cm.) wide; 22 ¾ in. (57 cm.) deep.

Maison Millet was founded in Paris by Blaise Millet in the mid-19th century, who specialised in fine bronzes for furniture, much the same as Boulle did to decorate his pieces. During the 1890s they became an important part of the luxury French furniture market.

After Blaise’s death, his son Theodore expanded the business and became particularly renowned for the quality of their cabinetmaking and marquetry, as well as the very fine execution of bronze inlay, applied to their own designs. Theodore died in 1918 and the firm ceased to trade.

£7000