A Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted, steel, ebony, mahogany, lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlaid Table à Milieu by Maison Millet, after a model by Weisweiler, late 19th century

with one long and two short frieze drawers with concealed locking mechanism to underside, stamped MILLET A PARIS

Camille Mestdagh and Peter Lécoules, L'Ameublement d'Art Français, 1850-1900, Paris, pp. 224-225.

Overall in good original condition, with marks and scratches consistent with age and use. The top veneer displaying minor losses, the varnish to veneer worn in places. Of a slightly unsteady stance. Some beading fillets on the stretcher are slightly loose, but they can easily be fixed and the gilt-bronzes, with occasional tarnishing, can be cleaned according to taste The polished steel with minor oxidation. The spring mechanism opening the three drawers is in good working order.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This exceptional table is a reproduction of the celebrated model by Adam Weisweiler (1744-1820), delivered in 1784 by the famous Parisian marchand-mercier Daguerre to the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne. It was placed in Marie-Antoinette's cabinet intérieur at Château de Saint-Cloud and was subsequently gifted to her close friend, Madame de Polignac. Having been sold after the Revolution, the Weisweiler table was discovered in a marchand's shop on the Quai Voltaire in 1840 by the Prince de Beauvau (d. 1864). Purchased by the Empress Eugénie at auction the year after his death, it was placed in her salon bleu at the Tuileries, where she gave her audiences. As her purchase demonstrates, Eugénie was an avid collector of Louis XVI decorations, particularly those formerly owned by Marie-Antoinette. Influencing fashion as she had 100 years earlier, Marie-Antoinette was again à la mode during the last quarter of the 19th century. Her table was manufactured by a number of preeminent Parisian ébénistes who specialized in meubles de style, including Millet’s contemporaries, Alfred Beurdeley, François Linke, and Henri Dasson.

Maison Millet was established in 1853 with premises at 11, rue de Jaques-Coeur, moving to 23 Boulevard Beaumarchais in 1902. Known for  their quality reproductions of 18th century designs, the firm won numerous medals at the Expositions Universelles including a gold medal in 1889 and the Grand Prix in 1900. In 1902 Millet was appointed by the curator of the Palais de Versailles to reproduce the 'Grand cabinet à Bijoux' of Marie-Antoinette. An identical version of the present lot was sold Bonhams London, 21 November 2006, lot 169 (£54,000)