Louis XV Style Dressing Table, Attributed To André Mailfert (circa 1905–1925).

This elegant three-panel dressing table, richly inlaid with flowers, is a remarkable example of André Mailfert's early work, produced between 1905 and 1925. To the untrained eye, it could easily be mistaken for an authentic 18th-century Louis XV powder cabinet. However, closer examination reveals it to be a very high-quality antique copy, typical of Mailfert's work, executed strictly according to period techniques. The cabinetmaking is faithful to 18th-century practices. Mailfert often used antique wood from dismantled furniture, which explains the magnificent internal oxidations visible here: deep patinas, ancient grain, and wood naturally grayed by time. Exquisite marquetry, executed as in the 18th century: The floral veneer decoration is further proof of the exceptional quality of this piece: rosewood frieze, contoured amaranth wood frames, subtly oxidized veneers to evoke the depth of antique wood, hot sand shading—an authentic 18th-century technique for modeling leaves and petals. This rare technical mastery places this dressing table among the finest antique copies from Mailfert's early period, when he truly strove to reproduce the work of the great cabinetmakers. Reused antique hardware and materials: Another characteristic of Mailfert is the use of antique hardware, hand-filed keyhole escutcheons, reused period hinges, and a genuine mercury mirror, likely from an old frame or overmantel mirror, reinstalled in the piece. These details are impossible to replicate without authentic antique materials, which Mailfert favored. False signs of wear and “controlled aging.” True to his penchant for trompe-l'œil, Mailfert sometimes added “history clues” to convince even professionals: a piece of antique canvas glued under the bottom of a drawer to imitate an 18th-century restoration, deliberately accentuated signs of wear, small irregularities created to simulate a piece of furniture that had “lived.” Mailfert liked to say that he “manufactured the past” and enjoyed the idea of fooling antique dealers themselves. This dressing table clearly derives from highly refined Louis XV models, variations of which can be found in the productions of Léonard Boudin, Macret, and other Parisian workshops from the reign of Louis XV. Like L'Escalier de Cristal, Mailfert reused antique models. The fundamental difference is that Mailfert sought to age the piece of furniture, to invent a history for it, whereas L'Escalier de Cristal produced prestigious new copies. Here, everything—from the frame and materials to the marquetry—shows that the intention was to create an undetectable copy, according to the market standards of the early 20th century. In conclusion: A beautiful dressing table attributed to André Mailfert, crafted using 18th-century techniques, materials, and aesthetics. A fascinating piece of furniture, remarkable for its quality, the fidelity of its construction, and the skillful way it reproduces the work of the great Parisian cabinetmakers, while bearing the mark of Mailfert's distinctive use of aged wood and unique techniques. A rare piece, representative of Mailfert's early period.