Antique Louis XV style ormolu and Vernis Martin mounted meuble d’appui

This outstanding meuble d’appui is crafted in the elegant yet playful Louis XV style and is adorned with a selection of decorative mounts. Meuble d’appui is the French term used to describe furniture pieces to be displayed against the wall to display other decorative objects.

The shaped body is topped by a speckled marble top, its polychrome colouration matching the design below. The frieze includes one long and two short mounts in the form of scrolled acanthus leaves and foliate C-scrolls. With the push of a hidden button, the central panel open to reveal a spacious drawer, making this an example of a mechanical furniture piece, especially popular in the 18th century.

The central door is filled with an ormolu cartouche shaped mount inset with a Vernis Martin panel depicting an 18th century fête galante (courtship party). One group of figures stands in the background while the other occupies the foreground showcasing their lavish, elegant garments typical of the period. Vernis Matin, named after its creators, is a japanning or imitation lacquer technique. The pictorial scene is rendered in green and golden red Vernis Martin, the most characteristic colourway for this complex technique. The lockable door opens to reveal two adjustable shelves. The largest panel is flanked by two smaller ones with a similarly shaped ormolu cartouche framing the fine veneers.

The prominently shaped frieze is adorned with a large acanthus and C-scrolls ormolu mount. The cabinet stands on four cabriole legs, each terminating with acanthus scroll sabots.

In places, the wooden carcass is stamped ‘T. VINCENT’ and on the reverse is a paper label with indistinguishable writing.

Celebrating the elaborate Louis XV style, this cabinet can be used as a statement piece or one on which to display other collectables.