A Pair of Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze and Hardstone-Mounted Ebonised Pedestal-Cabinets

Description

A Pair of Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze and Hardstone-Mounted Ebonised Pedestal-Cabinets by Mathieu Befort (Befort Jeune).

Stamped ‘MB’ to the reverse of the top corner mounts for Mathieu Befort, (Befort Jeune).

This impressive pair of ebonised pedestals have fine gilt-bronze mounts and superb Florentine Pietre Dure hardstone inlaid panels.

Of square tapering form they have an inset white marble top above a tapering brass-inlaid body with figural, acanthus cast, term figures to the angles and fronted by a panelled door mounted with a fine hardstone relief of ribbon-tied fruiting garland with a perching bird; the door opening to a mahogany veneered interior with a fixed shelf. The pedestals are raised on plinth bases with shaped aprons centred by pierced-shell clasps.

French, Circa 1870.