blackened pear tree

Napoleon III worker

Mathieu VathBoulle marquetry, Napoleon III, Veneering - Marquetry, blackened pear tree, furniture restoration
Ebénisterie Mathieu Vath

Restoration of a Napoleon III period sewing table inlaid with mother-of-pearl, brass, and ebony. As you can see from the photos, this sewing table was in very poor condition. Only the dedication of its owner saved it. Indeed, the restoration time would have been far too long considering the object's value. First, almost all the brass inlay on the base was missing. In addition, there was a significant amount of veneer missing. Finally, the passage of a chair and a dog bite had caused damage. But the […]

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Napoleon III side table

Mathieu VathBoulle marquetry, Napoleon III, blackened pear tree, furniture restoration, French polish, 19th century
Ebénisterie Mathieu Vath

This Napoleon III period sideboard, quadrangular in shape, is veneered in ebonized pearwood. It is further enlivened by rich Boulle marquetry in brass and red tortoiseshell, forming a decoration of arabesques, foliate scrolls, rocaille motifs, and small flowers. In addition, beautiful gilt-bronze mounts add rhythm to the piece: atlantes with clasped hands on the uprights, acanthus leaves, and an apron. A gadrooned molding also highlights the top, which is slabbed with a black marble top with a rounded edge. Finally, the piece opens with a door, […]

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Napoleon III Boulle marquetry side table

Mathieu VathBronzes, Vacuum bonding, Boulle marquetry, Napoleon III, blackened pear tree, furniture restoration, French polish, 19th century
Ebénisterie Mathieu Vath

A console table veneered in ebonized pearwood, with Boulle marquetry of brass on tortoiseshell depicting arabesques. It opens with a door adorned with an oval medallion. This reveals shelves in mahogany and mahogany veneer. Finally, it is richly ornamented with chased and gilded bronze: egg-and-dart friezes, caryatids in corner drops, interlaced friezes, acanthus leaf friezes, fruit, and florets. This Boulle cabinet required extensive restoration! Indeed, some pieces of brass, fillets, and especially a great deal of tortoiseshell were missing.

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