Maison Jansen Carved Stone, Oak and Lacquered Vellum Dining Table, c. 1940

Details

Description

A beautiful Maison Jansen carved stone, oak and lacquered vellum dining table, circa 1940s, made in France. One base element … Read more A beautiful Maison Jansen carved stone, oak and lacquered vellum dining table, circa 1940s, made in France. One base element marked "2184" in wax pencil. This truly refined and sophisticated collectors piece has been restored and is ready to grace the home or office of a design connoisseur or art collector.

Incredible provenance, from the famed Galerie Yves Gastou in Paris then later in 2010 Christies, Paris. See photos for screenshot of Christies listing where the table sold for 8,750 Euros (plus additional buyers premium, normally around 30% of hammer price equaling to over 11,000 EUR in total which is around 16,000 EUR adjusted for inflation (2010 vs 2024)).

The table top is constructed from an oak core covered in parchment then lacquered, with aged oak wrapping the edge of the top. The bases are carved from stone and according to Christies, illustrate greek Tritons (half fish half human) facing against one another. The underside of the table top is framed for the stone bases to fit into - securing the top to the base so that it does not slip / slide during normal use.

This refined artifact of design history would work excellent as a dining table, executive or management desk, work table, conference table, meeting table, Zoom call table, or as a center table.

From the 1880s to the 1980s, Maison Jansen outfitted many of the most important homes and offices from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Pamela Harriman just to name a few. Jansen's surviving interiors for monarchs, dictators, and social doyennes are now the focus of preservation projects while the furniture and objets d’art are sought after by interior designers, collectors and art investors, and decorative arts scholars alike.

This highly desirable collectors piece, with exotic materials, exquisite detail and craftsmanship and incredible provenance was just restored and is ready to add distinction to your private art and design collection with its elegance and sophistication.

This Maison Jansen carved stone, oak and vellum dining table would work great in a French Neoclassical, Traditional, Transitional, Hollywood Regency, Classical, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Post-Modern, Contemporary or Zen / Minimalism room and is also an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office.

PROVENANCE:
- Galerie Yves Gastou, Paris; Private Collection
- Christies, Paris, Intérieurs, September 28, 2010, Lot 307

MEASUREMENTS:
H 28.5" x W 91.5" x D 40"

CONDITION:
Restored condition, some light signs of age are visible, ready for immediate use.

The goatskin (Vellum) top was stripped of its old lacquer and then keeping the original color and grain we applied a new clear coat French Polish for a fresh clean look and smooth surface (the French Polish also helps to protect the surface against regular daily use). The original pattern and grain of the skins provide an exotic and refined backdrop to the oak edge and stone bases.

The oak edge around the perimeter of the top was kept in its original state (not refinished) but we gave it a hand lacquered polish keeping the beautiful age visible. You can see lots of age on the wood, which is incredibly beautiful. But the smooth polish protects the wood while giving it a 'finished' look.

The bases were lightly cleaned but nothing else done. Some signs of prior repairs. Some light age and wear to bases along with minor losses as to be expected with vintage carved stone. See less