Bidspirit auction | Napoleon III Style Étagère Coffee

Napoleon III Style Étagère Coffee Table in Black Lacquer and Mother-of-Pearl – France, Circa 1860 - Refined center or coffee table, an excellent example of the eclectic French taste of the Second Empire. Top: The upper surface, with its characteristic curvilinear and multi-lobed shape, is decorated with the pique nacre technique. A rich floral bouquet animated by butterflies stands out in the center, made with polychrome mother-of-pearl inlays and gold highlights. Structure: The piece rests on a central turned 'baluster' stem, which opens into an elegant curved tripod. The sinuous line of the legs and the top recalls the revival of the Louis XV style, reinterpreted with the opulence typical of the Napoleon III era. Decoration: The entire surface is covered in black lacquer (noir de Chine), enriched by perimeter borders with foliated volutes and shell motifs executed in pure gold. Materials: Lacquered wood, authentic mother-of-pearl inlays, gold painted decorations. Period: France, mid-19th century (circa 1850-1870). Condition: Excellent original condition; the lacquer retains its brilliance and the inlays are intact, testifying to the high quality of the craftsmanship.