What characterises Louis XV style Boulle furniture?

Louis XV style Boulle furniture is defined by curved serpentine silhouettes, cabriole legs, and elaborate metal marquetrytypically brass inlaid into dark ebonised wood or tortoiseshellcomplemented by cast gilt-bronze (ormolu) mounts.

What materials are traditionally used in 19th-century French inlaid tables?

Traditional construction incorporates a hardwood frame veneered in ebonised timber or fruitwood, layered with cut brass marquetry inlay, and finished with chased gilt-bronze ormolu mounts to protect edges and corners.

How can one identify authentic 19th-century French cabinetmaker pieces?

Authentic 19th-century French pieces often feature maker stamps or metal plaques from workshops such as Maison Millet, exceptionally fine chasing on heavy cast bronze mounts, precise marquetry cutting, and solid secondary timbers inside drawers.

How do you style a French antique centre table in a modern interior?

Place the table as a central focal point in an entrance hall, drawing room, or window bay. Pair it with neutral surrounding decor, contemporary artwork, or structured floral arrangements to highlight the detailed brass marquetry.

How should ebonised and brass inlaid furniture be maintained?

Maintain a stable relative humidity to prevent wood movement and veneer lifting. Dust gently using a dry microfibre cloth and avoid abrasive chemical polishes on both the ebonised surface and the gilt-bronze mounts.

for sale €7,605 $8,255

£6,500

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French Bony & Inlaid Centre Table by Maison Millet

Name: French Bony & Inlaid Centre Table by Maison Millet
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1183067
Price: 6500 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Arrowsmith Antiques & Interiors

Description

An extremely fine quality French 19th century serpentine shaped free standing ebony and ebonised antique writing table or centre table by Maison Millet. The Louis XV style table has a beautiful central design of delicately inlaid mother of pearl flowers with brass leaves and single brass string inlay.

The cabriole legs are adorned with fantastic quality bronze gilt ormolu mounts of females with foliate background terminating to ormolu mounted scroll feet.

The reverse of the mounts are stamped MB (Blaise Millet)

Height - 74 cm (29 inches)

Width - 116 cm (45 ½ inches)

Depth - 77 cm (30 ½ inches)

Circa - 1860

Maison Millet was established in Paris in 1857 by Blaise Millet and operated from premises at 11 Rue Jacques-Coeur, Paris before relocating to 23 Boulevard Beaumarchais. The firm specialised in fine gilt bronzes, furniture and decorative objects and were an active client of Francois Linke. The company won several awards in exhibitions for their work including a gold at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle. In 1897 Blaise’s son Theodore joined the company and in 1902 Maison Millet were commissioned by the Palais de Versailles to replicate Marie-Antoinette's celebrated Grand cabinet à bijoux.

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Delivery is free for most of the mainland UK. If you are interested in purchasing and are outside the UK mainland or in the Scottish Highlands please get in touch first for a shipping quote. If you are an overseas buyer please contact us with your address so we can provide you with an accurate shipping quote and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

This item will be delivered by a trustworthy carrier and we aim to deliver within two weeks of purchase, but please allow three weeks. We use smaller carrier companies which take a bit longer but we would rather your item arrives at your door safely. Like our small items, our larger items are packaged well and protected.

All of our items can be collected.

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View more items on our website www.arrowsmithantiques.com

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Physical Dimensions

Height

74cm (29.13")

Width

116cm (45.67")

Depth

77cm (30.31")

Declaration

Arrowsmith Antiques & Interiors has dated this French Boulle Centre Table to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1183067

Dealers Notes

ABOUT - Arrowsmith Antiques & Interiors has been established in Macclesfield, Cheshire for 35 years. We sell high quality antique furniture, clocks, lighting and decorative items ready for your home, to the general public and interior designers around the world from our showroom. Our stock inventory consists of decorative Continental, English and Oriental items ranging from the 18th century through to the 20th century.

PAYMENT - We accept BACS payment but we also accept debit and credit card and PayPal through our own website. All items come with an invoice with description and age.

Description

An extremely fine quality French 19th century serpentine shaped free standing ebony and ebonised antique writing table or centre table by Maison Millet.

“

The Louis XV style table has a beautiful central design of delicately inlaid mother of pearl flowers with brass leaves and single brass string inlay.

Arrowsmith Antiques & Interiors

fig 1. An ebonised French centre table decorated with brass marquetry inlay, gilt-bronze mounts, and cabriole legs. — fig 1. French Bony & Inlaid Centre Table by Maison Millet

The cabriole legs are adorned with fantastic quality bronze gilt ormolu mounts of females with foliate background terminating to ormolu mounted scroll feet.

The reverse of the mounts are stamped MB (Blaise Millet)

fig 2. An ebonised French centre table decorated with brass marquetry inlay, gilt-bronze mounts, and cabriole legs. — fig 2. French Bony & Inlaid Centre Table by Maison Millet

Height - 74 cm (29 inches)

Width - 116 cm (45 ½ inches)

Depth - 77 cm (30 ½ inches)

Circa - 1860

Maison Millet was established in Paris in 1857 by Blaise Millet and operated from premises at 11 Rue Jacques-Coeur, Paris before relocating to 23 Boulevard Beaumarchais. The firm specialised in fine gilt bronzes, furniture and decorative objects and were an active client of Francois Linke. The company won several awards in exhibitions for their work including a gold at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle. In 1897 Blaise’s son Theodore joined the company and in 1902 Maison Millet were commissioned by the Palais de Versailles to replicate Marie-Antoinette's celebrated Grand cabinet à bijoux.

fig 3. An ebonised French centre table decorated with brass marquetry inlay, gilt-bronze mounts, and cabriole legs. — fig 3. French Bony & Inlaid Centre Table by Maison Millet

Delivery is free for most of the mainland UK. If you are interested in purchasing and are outside the UK mainland or in the Scottish Highlands please get in touch first for a shipping quote. If you are an overseas buyer please contact us with your address so we can provide you with an accurate shipping quote and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

fig 4. An ebonised French centre table decorated with brass marquetry inlay, gilt-bronze mounts, and cabriole legs. — fig 4. French Bony & Inlaid Centre Table by Maison Millet

This item will be delivered by a trustworthy carrier and we aim to deliver within two weeks of purchase, but please allow three weeks. We use smaller carrier companies which take a bit longer but we would rather your item arrives at your door safely. Like our small items, our larger items are packaged well and protected.

All of our items can be collected.

View more items on our website www.arrowsmithantiques.com