A Martin varnish table by L. Boudin, Paris, circa 1760

Furniture du 18th century

DIMENSIONS : l. 16.93 .inH. 28.35 .inP. 10.63 .in

MATERIAUX : Européen laquer

PROVENANCE : Paris

PRICE : Contact us

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A rare salon table decorated in Vernis Martin, imitating Japanese lacquer.

Of undulating form, it features an elegant curve on all sides, convex at the sides and concave at the front. It rests on four cabriole legs joined by shaped stretchers and opens with three drawers in the front.

The decoration is exquisite, in gold on a black ground, enlivened by mounds, pagodas, and lakeside landscapes in the Far Eastern style. The varnish displays remarkable relief work, finely engraved and chiseled into the material, giving exceptional depth and vibrancy to the decoration. The details of the architecture, vegetation, and mounds are delicately enhanced by these fine engravings, which virtuously imitate genuine Japanese lacquer. The drawers are adorned with architectural compositions inspired by chinoiserie, while the sides feature exquisitely detailed lakeside landscapes within quatrefoil reserves.

Rich ornamentation of mercury-gilt bronze includes slippers highlighting the four feet, pagoda-shaped keyhole escutcheons, and a molding encircling an inset Aleppo breccia marble top.

Drawer interiors are oak.

In excellent condition, original locks, molding previously regilded, minor restorations to the decoration consistent with age.

Stamped by Léonard Boudin and with the JME guild mark under a crossbar.

Parisian work from the Louis XV period, circa 1760.

Dimensions:

Height: 72 cm - Width: 43 cm - Depth: 27.5 cm

Our opinion:

The curves on all sides and the lightness of these small salon tables, which flourished in the mid-18th century, embody all the elegance and refinement of the Louis XV style.
This model is a perfect illustration of this style with its extremely slender base, flowing lines, and particularly harmonious proportions.
The black lacquer with gold decoration, applied in the style of Japanese lacquer, achieves a remarkable level of quality. The depth of the background, the subtlety of the shades, and especially the delicate engraving in low relief are such that they could fool even the most knowledgeable experts in Oriental lacquer.

This ability of Parisian workshops to compete with genuine Japanese productions illustrates the degree of virtuosity achieved by Parisian artisans under the Ancien Régime and places our table among the iconic models of this fashion of "chinoiseries".