MILLET À PARIS

French Louis XV desk with bronzes by Millet, Paris, mid-18th century

Height x width x depth: 96 x 77 x 46 cm.

in purple ebony (Dalbergia cearensis), amaranth and fruit woods, inlaid with geometric motifs, shaped top and rocaille-style wavy legs. The cabinet was embellished during the nineteenth century with sumptuous gilt bronze mounts signed *Millet à Paris*, a celebrated bronze worker and marchand-mercier active in the second half of the nineteenth century, known for the exceptional quality of his antique-style applications.

Representative example of the nineteenth-century practice of enhancing eighteenth-century furniture, combining original elegance and revival taste.

This lot is accompanied by an expertise issued by Ce.S.Ar Centro studi archeometici.

Literature:
Blaise Millet(1854-1901)
Maison Millet was founded by Blaise Millet in 1857 and operated until 1902 on the premises at 11 Rue Jacques-Coeur, Paris, before moving to 23 Boulevard Beaumarchais. Maison Millet was a highly regarded furniture firm, which expressed itself mainly under the direction of Blaise's son Théodore in the 1890s, although it was repeatedly exhibited before that date. The firm was described as producing “meuble et bronze d'art, genre ancien et moderne.” The company won several awards during exhibitions in London and Paris, such as a gold medal at the 1889 Paris World's Fair, a Grand Prix in 1900, and three other diplomas d'honor and four médailles d'or for furniture produced. The firm specialized in Louis XV and XVI styles, although it was acclaimed by its contemporaries for its modern style. In March 1902, the company was authorized by the Palace of Versailles to reproduce Marie Antoinette's famous Grand cabinet à bijoux. An auction was held in 1906 to liquidate the remaining stock, and the company finally ceased operations in 1918. Maison Millet was an active customer of François Linke.