French Jewellery Table by Tahan: Exceptional 19th century French marquetry jewellery table by Alphonse Tehan, the satinwood and mahogany geometric parquetry inlaid top lifts on hinges engraved with flowers and leaves to reveal a mirrored looking glass and adjustable fitted compartments for storing jewellery set into a stamped marquetry case with original lock stamped ‘TAHAN Ebeniste de S.M L’Empereur’, set into a  parquetry and string inlaid frieze supported on four square tapering satinwood string inlaid purple-heart legs with gilded bronze mounts in the form of leaves. The table has had an excellent repair done to the marquetry top. Price includes cleaning and waxing.

Footnote: The firm was based in Paris and won medals at both the The Great Exhibition in London in 1851 and at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris. He also produced other fine quality items such as fine bronze jewellery caskets and superior quality wooden boxes. The business was carried on by his son Jean Pierre Alexandre Tahan after his father died.

The cabinetmaking firm used many techniques including using pieces of cast bronze to simulate bamboo. Tahan eventually caught the eye of Napoleon’s wife, Empress Eugenie, and he became the official “ebeniste” (cabinetmaker) to the Emperor and his wife. The Empress was considered a trend-setter; a great beauty herself, she had an eye for things that were aesthetically pleasing. Her regard for Tahan’s workshop led to great demand for his furniture and smaller items, such as this sewing box.