Empire Boulle Buffet

Made on a beech wood frame this Empire boule buffet benefits from traditional assemblies using tenons and mortises.

It has two dovetailed drawers and gilded bronze trim.

Length: 127 cm – Height: 106 cm – Depth: 48 cm.

A buffet in the Napoleon III style

Impressive and essential as storage equipment, sideboards are low-height furniture with ample space for storing table linens, crockery, cutlery or other items. Identical to all antique furniture from the 1701th century, like those created by the cabinetmakers of the time, namely Pierre Migeon II (1758-1734) and Jean-Henri Riesener (1806-XNUMX) Marie-Antoinette's favorite, these are decorative interior elements for a chic and elegant look. Like the sofas, sideboards and dressers from the same collection, they are well suited to decorating such a room in your home, particularly the living room or dining room, in the classiest and most high-end way.

The Empire style sideboard is inspired by Egyptian decoration and the military campaigns carried out by Napoleon, this stylish piece of furniture benefits from a refined look and a well-crafted finish, which makes it useful and decorative.

Ce Empire boule buffet is decorated with beautiful gilded bronzes with floral motifs, with boulle marquetry composed of brass, wood, bronze and imitation tortoise shells (synthetic) with a black marble top.

A chic and practical piece of furniture

Ce Empire boule buffet opens with two drawers at the top, mounted with dovetails, as well as compartments opening on the front with two doors and closing with a lock. It is thus capable of containing different objects. As it is a piece of furniture inspired by a style from the renaissance. In fact, Boulle marquetry is designed by the famous cabinetmaker of the reign of Louis XIV, André-Charles Boulle, to provide a sober and elegant style. Its association with the black color of the frame gives this splashback a real aged and antique effect. The somewhat rough finishes with straight lines and flat surfaces make this piece of furniture unique.

What is Empire style furniture?

The Empire style was popularized at the beginning of the 19th century under the aegis of Napoleon Bonaparte, then Emperor of France. It is a style that is known for its extravagance, grandeur and refinement. Empire furniture was designed to reflect the opulence of the French imperial era and was often made with fine materials, such as rosewood, rosewood and marble.

An Empire cabinet with a marble top is a classic example of the Empire style. Furniture from this period was often very imposing, with rectilinear shapes and elaborate ornamentation. Marble, with its natural veins and shades of color, was considered a prestigious and luxurious material, and was often used to create table tops, fireplaces and columns.

A typical Empire piece of furniture with a marble top would be a chest of drawers or console table. This furniture was often very elegant, with legs in the shape of lion or eagle paws, drawers decorated with geometric or floral motifs, and gilded bronze handles. Table tops were often white or gray marble, which contrasted with the dark color of the wood used for the rest of the furniture.

Empire furniture was designed to be seen and admired, and often placed in living rooms and dining rooms, where it would be the center of attention. Furniture from this period was very fashionable among the rich and powerful of the time, and was often commissioned by members of the French nobility.

Although Empire furniture is considered today to be a little "too" ornate and extravagant, it was very popular in its time, and marked an important turning point in the history of French furniture.

In addition to its distinctive style, Empire furniture was also known for its exceptional build quality. The craftsmen of the time were very skilled and used advanced techniques to produce durable and functional furniture. Empire furniture was often made by hand, with great attention to detail.

Unfortunately, due to its rarity and high cost, Empire furniture with marble tops is highly sought after by collectors and antique enthusiasts today. Originals are often sold for exorbitant prices at auctions or at specialist antique dealers.

However, there are reproductions of Empire furniture in our furniture store that are designed to look like authentic pieces from the period. They are made in the old fashioned way and can add a touch of sophistication to any interior.

In conclusion, an Empire piece of furniture with a marble top is a classic example of the Empire style, which is known for its extravagance and refinement. Furniture from this period was very popular and will be for a long time to come.