Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

TWO SIMILAR KINGWOOD AND ORMOLU MOUNTED ENVELOPE CARD TABLES, TABLES A JEUX EN MOUCHOIR

IN THE MANNER OF PAUL SORMANI, C.1880

each with panels of lattice parquetry, the hinged and swivel top centred with a monogram 'A de R' for Alfred de Rothschild, revealing a baize lined playing surface, with two frieze drawers on cabriole legs, one stamped 'Brevete S8D6' (2)

74.8cm high, 60.6 x 60.6cm

Provenance

Alfred de Rothschild (1842-1918) the Grand Staircase at Halton House, Buckinghamshire

Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942)

Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009)

The Trustees of Exbury House

Literature

Rothschild Archive, London, Manuscript: 000/174/C/3, Christie, Manson & Woods Probate Valuation of 'The Estate of Alfred C. de Rothschild, Esq. C.V.O. Deceased, Halton House Tring'. 1918. Listed as 'Four parqueterie card tables of French design, £25.0.0.'

Catalogue Note

Paul Sormani (Italian 1817-1877) established his workshop after moving to Paris in 1847. Sormani based his designs on styles of the Louis XV and XVI era, alongside creating 'fantasy furniture' pieces which he described as 'meubles de luxe' (luxury furniture). Sormani's work became very popular with the European aristocracy and Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, chose to decorate her palaces with Sormani's furniture.

In French these envelope tables are known as 'table a mouchoir'.