TAHAN Manufactory and Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Sewing table with flowers bouquet In porcelain marquetry and gilt bronze ornaments-0

TAHAN Manufactory and Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Sewing table with flowers bouquet In porcelain marquetry and gilt bronze ornaments-1

TAHAN Manufactory and Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Sewing table with flowers bouquet In porcelain marquetry and gilt bronze ornaments-2

TAHAN Manufactory and Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Sewing table with flowers bouquet In porcelain marquetry and gilt bronze ornaments-3

TAHAN Manufactory and Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Sewing table with flowers bouquet In porcelain marquetry and gilt bronze ornaments-4

TAHAN Manufactory and Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Sewing table with flowers bouquet In porcelain marquetry and gilt bronze ornaments-5

TAHAN Manufactory and Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Sewing table with flowers bouquet In porcelain marquetry and gilt bronze ornaments-6

Style Napoleon III / Ref.10698

TAHAN Manufactory and Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Sewing table with flowers bouquet In porcelain marquetry and gilt bronze ornaments

Dimensions
Width 24'' ¾  63cm
Height 29'' ½  75cm
Depth: 17'' ⅜  44cm

Origin:
Between 1850 and 1867.
Engraved « TAHAN / PARIS »

Status:
Rosewood, gilt bronze, porcelain marquetry. In very good condition.

This elegant sewing table was realized by Tahan, "prince of small cabinetmaking", as a journalist from the Palais de Cristal enjoyed to call him, when he presented a very similar table at the World's Fair of 1851 in London.
At this very same exhibition, Tahan was displaying several pieces of furniture decorated of porcelain marquetry by Julien-Nicolas Rivart . The latter is the inventor of the porcelain marquetry technique, a unique process, searched for a long time and patented in 1849, he was the only one to master. The table we present here is thus a rare witness of Tahan's favorable disposition towards the "Rivart process".

This skillful artist achieved a synthesis between the Florentine hard stone marquetry and the decoration of porcelain slabs from 18th century. He can hence combine the lightness of marquetry and its sophisticated contrasts effects, with the charm of painting on porcelain. The marquetry invented by Rivart enables these sophisticated hues to contrast directly with the wood, and prevents to hide the veins and the cabinetmaker's beautiful work. For that reason, at the World's Fairs of 1851, 1855 and 1867, this technique is described as "a delicious process", "yet more beautiful than beautiful", and receives the Emperor Napoleon III's congratulations.
We have here a fine example of these rare decorations with a bouquet of roses and wild flowers, red poppy, pansies, buttercups, campanulas and forget-me-nots.

Pierre-Lambert Tahan , Belgian cabinetmaker, set up a boutique in Paris, specialized in boxes manufacture shortly before 1806, in the Temple district. In 1844, he ceased all activity and left the direction of his shop to his son, Jean Pierre Tahan . The last completely revolutionized the organization of the company by separating the manufactory and the store, installed at 32 Rue de la Paix, as early as 1849. A year later, it is already reported as "Supplier of the King and Princes". In 1855, he bears the title of "Supplier of the Emperor", a reference of the utmost importance, for at that time, the Court commissioned him a large range of furniture such as libraries, tables, pedestals and toilet boxes. Tahan will then participate in the great World's Fairs of his time. It is on the occasion of the World's Fair of 1855 in Paris that he presents an extraordinary aviary in walnut carved with foliage and flying birds.