Napoleon III Period Cabinet By Mathieu Béfort, Circa 1860

Luxurious Napoleon III period cabinet, in ebony and tortoiseshell veneer with engraved brass inlays in the form of arabesques, flowers, foliage and threads. Our piece of furniture bears the stamp of the great 19th century cabinetmaker, Mathieu Béfort, known as Béfort Jeune (1813-1880) and was made around 1860. The central panel that constitutes the door of the cabinet is decorated with a rich ornamentation of finely chiseled gilded bronzes. There are two figures, Socrates and Aspasia, who symbolize wisdom and devotion. The project is inspired by models by the master cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle, which themselves probably come from a ceiling painting "Aspasia among the Greek philosophers" by Michel Corneille the Younger (1642-1708) for the Palace of Versailles. This model enjoyed a revival of interest in the 19th century, which led to the production of high-quality furniture. Béfort was one of the leading French furniture manufacturers of the 19th century. His eponymous company specialized in eclectic furniture, which he recreated for a growing international clientele based on famous models from the Ancien Régime. This piece is an exceptional piece for its craftsmanship and history, and will be particularly suitable for a clientele seeking museum-quality works of decorative art.