Description
Maison Mottheau et Fils
A late 19th century, French, ormolu mounted mahogany card table in the style of Jean-Henri Reisener. The rectangular top with serpentine shaped sides, opening to reveal a relined baize interior, above a frieze decorated with entwined acanthus ormolu mounts, standing on four square tapering legs ending in cast sabots. Mounts regilded.
Height 29” (73.5cm)
Width 36” (91.5cm)
Depth 17” (43cm)
French
Circa 1890
The Mottheau firm was a leading designer and producer of bronze for prestigious cabinet makers in Paris. Also known for their lighting fixtures, the firm won critical acclaim at the 1900 Paris Exhibition. At the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris, the Art Journal stated: “The French Section shows many examples of fine work applied under the new conditions, but we doubt if a more complete success is to be recorded to the credit of any exhibitor than can be conceded to Messieurs Mottheau et fils” (Lit: The Art Journal, The Paris Exhibition 1900 – An Illustrated Record of its Art, Architecture and Industrie, London, 1900, pp. 86-7). Maison Mottheau et Fils frequently worked in collaboration with sculptors such as Frédéric-Eugène Piat (d. 1903) producing a wide selection of chandeliers, wall-lights, candelabra and free-standing torchères, and were renowned for their skill in combining function with elaborate decoration. The introduction of electricity as a means of domestic lighting during the 1890s allowed firms such as Mottheau, whose speciality was lighting fixtures, to take full advantage of the new technology, incorporating it with their decorative designs. Makers Bibliography: The Art Journal , The Paris Exhibition 1900 – An Illustrated Record of its Art, Architecture and Industrie, London; 1900, pp. 86-7. Meyer, Jonathan , Great Exhibitions – London, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, 1851-1900, Antique Collectors’ Club, Woodbridge, 2006, pps. 290, 318 pl. J72
