Barbière In Mahogany And Gilt Bronze, Empire Period, Circa 1810, With Secret Opening

MAHOGANY AND GILT BRONZE BARBIERE
EMPIRE PERIOD, CIRCA 1810
Barbiere with secret opening in mahogany and flamed mahogany veneer, of cylindrical shape, the top opens with a hinge and reveals a mirror on the reverse of the cover, the bandeau belt rests on three columns supporting a silver metal basin. In the center three small circular compartments surrounding a larger one for the ewer (missing) on a small base. Box base opening to a door, the opening of which is controlled by the spring bottom of the location of the water glass. Ornamentation of chiseled and gilded bronze decorated with masks of Mercury, friezes in facing palmettes and rings. Anthracite marble top (glued). Good overall condition.
Empire period, circa 1810.
H. 93.5 x D. 40 cm.

Provenance
Studer-Fromentin sale, June 13, 2014, Hôtel Drouot, lot 186.

Related work
An identical barbière-sink, former Mancel-Coti collection, is reproduced in Chantal BIZOT, Mobilier Directoire-Empire, éd. Ch. Massin, 1976.