The table with fantastic masks by Edouard Lièvre. An exceptional piece of Japanese furniture

Описание: Designed around 1878, this center table is a masterpiece by Edouard Lièvre, precursor of Japonism in France.

Intended to be the centerpiece of a living room, it was used to display precious objects.

The materials, like the finish, are luxurious. The dark color of rosewood, a rare exotic wood, is enhanced by ornaments with an old gold patina.

In its openwork part, the belt of our table includes a symbol evoking the ideogram shou, synonymous with longevity.

A renowned ornamentalist and cabinetmaker, Edouard Lièvre was fascinated by the arts of the Far East.

Fantastic masks refer to the lion or dragon heads that adorn the tops of the feet. These oriental creatures move in a fall of plant scrolls covering the four cabriole feet.

Old gold patinated and openwork cartridges, as well as an incense burner with a motif of plant scrolls, are inserted in the central bar of the spacer.

The Musée d’Orsay keeps a copy identical to our table. Only the nature and color of the marble forming its top are different.

To our knowledge, Edouard Lièvre has created eight tables of this type, all featuring a unique marble top. The one from the Marc Maison gallery is made of brocatelle marble from Spain.

The model of this table entirely in wood and without bronze ornament can be considered as the prototype of the model of the eight tables.

One of the eight copies of The Table with Fantastic Masks, still unlocated, is mentioned in the catalog of the estate of Edouard Lièvre in 1887.

Edouard Lièvre is also famous for having designed the spectacular four-poster parade bed of the courtesan Valtesse de La Bigne (1877), preserved at the Arts Décoratifs.