A French late 19th century ormolu mounted lacquer serpentine commode by Maison Millet

1885-1900, in the Louis XV style

Footnotes

The offered lot reflects the fashion for 18th century marchand merciers incorporating exotic materials such as lacquer into contemporary French furniture. This tradition was revived during the second half of the 19th century by the most renowned and well-established cabinet makers then operating, whose output arguably rivalled that of the ébénistes from the ancien regime era. In this later period, some of the finest quality and most inventive examples of lacquer commodes were made by the firm of Maison Millet.

Executed in the Louis XV style, the present Millet commode recalls the opulent mid-18th century oeuvres of such prominent cabinet makers as Matthieu Criaerd, Joseph Baumhauer and Bernard II van Risen Burgh (BVRB), all of whom similarly included oriental lacquer into much of the furniture that they produced.

Comparable ormolu mounts which comprise the cartouche shaped inner surround and border on the above can be seen on a lacquer commode, also stamped for Millet, which sold Sotheby's, New York, 24 October 2012, lot 190. Another model made by Maison Millet, with a similar outer mount, sold Artcurial, Paris, 15 December 2010, lot 39. Furthermore, closely related chutes to those featuring on the offered commode appear mounted on a bureau de dame, which likewise has the same 'Millet' stamp. The latter sold Sotheby's, New York, 24 October 2007, lot 437.

Imported Lacquer
In the 18th century marchand merciers expanded their market through a skilful manipulation and utilisation of imported Chinese lacquer. Such lacquer was ingeniously incorporated into the French furniture popular at that time. These individuals, who oversaw the removal of lacquer panels from Chinese cabinets, chests and screens arriving in Europe during this period, adapted the panels for use on a range of different contemporary pieces. For more on this subject see C. Sargentson, Merchants and Luxury Markets: the Marchands Merciers of the 18th Century, 1996, Paris, pp.'s 79-90.

Despite fluctuations in terms of the production of this type of lacquer-inset furniture, the interest in such items nonetheless remained strong throughout most of the 19th century, even continuing into the early part of the 20th century. In the late 19th century and into the Belle Epoque era, celebrated figures such as Dasson, Beuderley, Linke, Zwiener and of course Millet were all involved in supplying such pieces which brilliantly showcase beautiful Chinese and Japanese lacquer within their masterful re-interpretations of Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture.

Millet
Maison Millet was established by Théodore Millet in 1853, and continued until 1902 from premises at 11, Rue Jacques-Coeur, Paris before relocating to 23, Boulevard Beaumarchais. Maison Millet was a highly regarded furniture company that was described as producing 'meuble et bronze d'art, genre ancien et moderne.' The firm won several awards in the series of exhibitions in London and Paris, such as the gold Medal in the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle.

The business specialized in furniture executed in the Louis XV and XVI styles, though they were acclaimed by their contemporaries for working in their own modern style. In 1902, the firm was authorized by the Palais de Versailles to replicate Marie-Antoinette's celebrated Grand cabinet à bijoux. It is also interesting to note that Maison Millet was an active client of François Linke.