thÉodore Millet A gilt-bronze mounted kingwood and Vernis Martin decorated Meuble à Hauteur d'Appui Paris, circa 1890

of bombé and serpentine form, the central door fitted with a vernis Martin panel depicting courtesans and opening to two shelves, one chute has been removed to reveal the mark MB from the bronze master model. 

Some gilt-bronze mounts will need to be tightened especially the banding around the vernis Martin panel. Slight tarnishing to gilt-bronze in places and a large area of oxidation to the foliate mount and lower banding on the front left hand side (visible in the catalogue illustration). The vernis Martin overall with bumps to the dark colors and flaking consisting with heat damage to the pigment. The veneers with losses around the bottom edges and the concave front (also visible in the catalogue illustration). The marble in good condition with the usual chips to edges and scratches to surface consistent with age. Cracks on both sides of kingwood veneer consistent with wood shrinkage.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Maison Millet was established by Théodore Millet in 1853, and operated until 1902 from premises at 11, rue Jacques-Coeur, Paris before relocating to 23, Boulevard Beaumarchais. Maison Millet was a highly regarded furniture firm that was described as producing "meuble et bronze d'art, genre ancien et moderne." The company won several awards in the series of exhibitions in London and Paris, such as the gold medal in the Paris 1889 Exposition Universelle, a Grand Prix in 1900, and three further diplomes d'honneur and four médailles d'or for the furniture they produced. The firm specialized in the Louis XV and XVI styles, though they were acclaimed by their contemporaries for working in their own modern style. In March 1902, the firm was authorized by the Palais de Versailles to replicate Marie-Antoinette's celebrated Grand cabinet à bijoux. An auction was held in 1906 clearing the remaining stock, and the firm finally ceased trading in 1918. Maison Millet was an active client of François Linke.