Ref.14036
A briefcase with precious porcelain decoration by Julien-Nicolas RIVART

An extremely rare piece, our leather briefcase features a very fine porcelain marquetry decoration. This is a very original work, Rivart porcelain is usually inlaid on pieces of wooden furniture. Its decorations form real flower paintings. The object transforms into jewelry. Covered in leather, this document holder has two compartments lined with moiré fabrics. Porcelain brings delicacy and shine to matte leather. Rivart, a great name in decorative arts during the Second Empire, had renewed the art of marquetry by replacing the traditional wooden veneer with fine porcelain marquetry. In the 1850s, Rivart was praised in the press for his patent and his technical mastery. His patent provided for the inlay of porcelain on different supports, such as wood, cardboard, leather or velvet and even marble, but very few of his creations have come down to us apart from furniture.

Ref.5690
Napoleon III style mantel in carved oak

Ref.5790
Louis XVI style molded and curved Carrara marble mantel

This Louis XVI-style Carrara marble fireplace is characterized by its numerous moldings and the curved shape of its feet. On the band, an oval figure of leaves takes center stage. Around this figure are moldings that take the shape of the band. The central motif is repeated at the top of the leg, but this time in a square shape. The upper part of the fireplace is delimited by a projecting edge, creating a demarcation between the top of the leg with the entablature and the rest of the fireplace. Below this border, the top of the leg is curved. On the face of the leg, two large moldings run the length of the leg to its base. These moldings are reminiscent of the fluting on columns, a reference to Ancient Greece, typical of the Louis XVI style. On the sides of the legs, several small horizontal lines are finely carved thanks to the quality of the Carrara marble. A marble quarried in Italy's Apuan Alps with qualities of brilliance and finesse. Carrara marble allows us to work in the finest detail, as in the fine molding that adorns the interior contours of the fireplace. This fireplace comes with its original, highly detailed cast-iron interior. On the sides of the insert are two symmetrical angel figures holding foliage. The upper part of the interior features two seated figures facing each other. The rest is decorated with geometric and plant motifs.

Ref.6060
Louis XV style fireplace, Pompadour model, in red Campan marble