Rococo Style Sideboard with Eglomisé Doors

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Description

A centerpiece of décor, this imposing sideboard in cream lacquered wood with gold highlights is a magnificent testament to the … Read more A centerpiece of décor, this imposing sideboard in cream lacquered wood with gold highlights is a magnificent testament to the taste for pomp during the Second Empire (19th century, France). While its silhouette exuberantly draws on the Rococo style of the 18th century, its design is typical of the great Parisian cabinetmakers of the 19th century, who excelled in the art of reinterpreting historical styles with a new opulence.
The piece is distinguished by its three doors of rare sophistication: the central panels are made of reverse-painted mirrors. This delicate technique, consisting of fixing a gold leaf design under the glass, reveals here exquisitely detailed cartouches with trelliswork and scrolls. The reverse-painted mirror, mysterious by nature, displays slight pitting that testifies to its age and lends it that sought-after added character. The interior layout has been optimized for contemporary use: the central door opens to reveal a more recent (20th-century) interior featuring a four-drawer chest in light wood, thus combining the splendor of Napoleon III décor with modern functionality. The side doors, meanwhile, reveal classic shelving units.

This sideboard has come down to us in its original condition, "as found." It bears the marks of a rich and varied life: a few stains on the top, chips in the lacquer, and a small missing molding at the bottom of the central front. Far from being flaws, these signs of age highlight the authenticity of its patina. It is a piece of character, ready to bring all the prestige of Parisian elegance to a bold interior. The keys are missing but do not prevent the cabinet from being opened. See less