Louis XV Style Ladies' Furniture, Forger's Work Circa 1900

Louis XV style ladies' cabinet, forger's work circa 1900. Elegant Louis XV style ladies' cabinet, also called work table or salon cabinet, made around 1890–1910 in a high-quality workshop, probably specialized in the faithful reproduction of 18th-century furniture. This refined piece of furniture is directly inspired by the productions of Bernard II Van Risamburgh known as BVRB, a famous Parisian cabinetmaker from the reign of Louis XV, whose emblematic end-grain floral marquetry can be seen here. The top opens with a flap revealing four interior compartments, carefully veneered. A compartmentalized side drawer, intended to hold small bottles or inkwells, suggests a mixed function: sewing, correspondence or personal storage. An antique copy of very high qualityThis piece of furniture is not a Louis XV period piece, but a forger's copy of remarkable execution, made with old woods and authentic hardware, in the spirit of the great furniture of the 18th century. Every detail betrays a concern for perfect trompe-l'oeil: Old-fashioned assemblies, visible in the uprights and the back, Traces of hand tools, consistent wear, irregular bottoms, Period lock with old key with rocaille motif, Interior veneer and compartments with an exceptional finish for a copy. These pieces of furniture, sometimes designed to deceive, sometimes simply to fit into a stylish interior, are today an integral part of the history of decorative arts. They bear witness to the revival of 18th century taste during the Belle Époque, and to the expertise of highly specialized workshops. The “forgers” of this caliber were often real cabinetmakers or Parisian workshops working for major dealers such as L'Escalier de Cristal, Beurdeley, or Sormani. Today, these objects represent a fascinating chapter in the history of decorative arts, at the crossroads of taste, technique and the culture of fakes. Furniture in perfect condition, cleaned, french polish redone. Dimensions: Height: 74 cm Width: 45.5 cm Depth: 32.5 cm