Lot 40: Henri-Auguste Fourdinois 1830-1907 A fine gilt-bronze mounted, ebonized, ebony and engraved brass inlaid red tortoiseshell boulle marquetry and brèche de Saint-Maximin marble top meuble à hauteur d' appui Paris, circa 1875

the carcass stamped twice H. FOURDINOIS.

measurements height 42 5/8 in.; width 53 1/4 in.; depth 18 in. alternate measurements 108.2 cm; 135.2 cm; 45.7 cm

See The Art Journal, The Illustrated Catalogue of the Paris International Exhibition, 1878, H. Virtue & Co Ltd, London, p. 110, for the engraving of a Louis XIV style side cabinet by H. Fourdinois, with similar Boulle marquetry

The companion cabinet centered by a male figure sold in these rooms, A Private Collection, Vol I, October 26, 2006, lot 115. The technique of veneered marquetry had its first inspiration in 16th century Italy, from the marquetry technique of inlaying solid marble slabs with designed cut colored marbles and semi-precious stones. This work, called opere di commessi, is known in English as pietre dure. During the 17th century, the technique of wood marquetry developed in the main Flemish cabinetry centers, and was then imported to France to create extravagant works of furniture for the royal residences of Louis XIV. French masters who excelled at wood marquetry included Pierre Golle and his son-in-law, the celebrated André-Charles Boulle, who has become synonymous with the technique of employing tortoiseshell and brass with pewter to form designs of scrolled foliate, arabesque and even commedia dell'arte personages.