Find Fine French Furniture at Regent Antiques

We have recently taken into stock a very fine example of French furniture design, sourced by our buyers from a French chateau:

Antique French Furniture at its Finest – Bureau Plat and Cartonnier Dating From Around 1900

This wonderful bureau plat and cartonnier came from Chateau de Villers-Helon, a castle originally built as a fortress in 1135 by Monseigneur Helon and located 118 kms North East of Paris.

It has been superbly crafted in Louis XVI style by a talented cabinetmaker after the original model by Simon Oeben who was renowned as one of the most successful ébénistes of the 18th century. The original set, made by Oeben around  1765 was originally the property of Duc de Choiseul-Praslin who was Prime Minister for Louis XV. It is recorded in a gouache by Van Blarenberghe, one of a series depicting the interiors of Choiseul’s house around 1770.

The contents of Choiseul’s house were sold in 1796 and the original model was then purchased by the Duke of Hamilton. Later, the Duc d’Aumale purchased it from the Hamilton Palace sale in 1882 and it is now in the Musée Condé at the Chateau de Chantilly.

Furthermore, the cartonnier  is illustrated in “French Furniture Makers” by Alexander Pradere and there was an identical cartonnier exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1900, by Paul Sormani.

The piece can be described as follows; the desk features a gilt tooled brown leather writing surface and has a total of three frieze drawers which are set on one side. The matching cartonnier, which would once have been used to hold  documents, has an upper section which is set with five faceted drawers, whereas the lower section is fitted with cupboard doors on each side.

As can be seen from these photographs, the piece is adorned with majestic ormolu gilded bronze mounts and an intricate parquetry of rosewood, mahogany and bois satinee’.

The desk also features a gilt tooled brown leather writing surface.

This impressive piece of antique French Furniture measures as follows:

149cm high x 206cm wide x 91cm deep, which is, in feet and inches 4 feet, 11 inches x 6 feet, 9 inches x 3 feet.

There are many more photographs for you to see here.

This lovely item which carries with it a history that is sure to intrigue family and friends, is offered for sale at £6950 and can be shipped worldwide. Delivery to our UK mainland customers is free of charge.

Please pay us a visit at our north London showroom if you want to see this fine piece in the flesh. We have many more pieces of fine French furniture to show you so it will be well worth the trip. To speak to an expert and get answers to your questions, please contact us on this number: +44 20 8809 9605 or email us on info@regentantiques.com.