A FRENCH NAPOLEON III ORMOLU AND PIETRA DURA MOUNTED EBONY MEUBLE À HAUTEUR D'APPUI, PROBABLY BY MONBRO ÂINÉ, PARIS, 1850-1875, the sideboard with a modern breakfront rectangular variegated granite top above a conforming egg-and-dart bronze cornice and frieze of curling tipped acanthus alternating leafy stemmed Marguerites, over three doors with double leaf tip modeled encadrements and the central door centering a hard stone, marble, and glass inlaid urn filled with blossoming and fruiting stems on a black marble panel, flanked by bow ribbon tied pendants of flowering and fruiting leafy branches in similar marbles, stones, and glass, each door fitted with an espagnolette modeled escutcheon and English brass lock plates stamped with a crowned "VR / PATENT," and "C&T / LONDON," partitioned by nicely cast Silenius thermes tapering to bell flowers and flanked by grape cluster on vine wrapped trim ending with an acanthus pendant, raised on a breakfront base with large florets issuing curling tipped acanthine leaves and centering a Bacchic mask. Height: 47 1/2" Width: 85 1/2" Depth: 25 1/8" Note: Georges Alphonse Bonifacio Monbro, dit Monbro Âine (French 1807-1884) the son of a Paris luxury furniture maker of fine Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI styles, who continued in the same styles, but was later to add a London showroom to cater to the firm's growing English clientele. Looking at the English Locks and the gilding one is lead to believe that this cabinet was probably from the firm's London location. A virtually identical Napoleon III meuble à hauteur d'appui also attributed to Monbro Âine was sold by Sotheby's Paris, "Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Orfèvrerie Européene," 5 November 2015, lot 572 for 17,500 € ($18,500).

Granite top is modern, some loose brass string inlay sections, dings, scuff marks, some scratches, edge wear, nicks, age shrinkage cracks, small repairs, and surface build up throughout. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS."