Neoclassical side table stamped Roussel

Dimensions : H. 67.5 cm, W. 60 cm, D. 41 cm

This small side table was made during the Louis XVI period by Pierre Roussel. It perfectly illustrates the return to classicism with the reuse of antique designs, and is a fine example of the refinement that French furniture achieved in the second half of the 18th century.

During the reign of Louis XVI, a large quantity of furniture was produced in Paris with the arrival of a new clientele of notables who wished to acquire furniture in the style of that owned by the aristocracy. There is therefore a profusion of chests of drawers, desks, and various other pieces of furniture from the Louis XVI period. But during this period of intense production, a few master cabinetmakers continued to create exceptional works of art, essentially decorative in function, for major patrons. The return of clean lines and straight edges can sometimes mask differences in quality. To avoid this, it is necessary to pay attention to the details of workmanship, the choice of materials, the precision of the assembly and marquetry, and the quality of the bronze ornamentation.

Pierre ROUSSEL, Master in 1745, was one of the finest marquetry craftsmen of the 18th century. Although less original in his designs than BVRB, Dubois, or RVLC, Pierre Roussel produced meticulously crafted furniture that built his reputation and attracted the most illustrious clients: He worked for Pierre Migeon but also supplied the Prince de Condé directly, notably for the Château de Chantilly and the Palais Bourbon. Works by Pierre Roussel can be found in the Musée Carnavalet, the Musée Jacquemard André, the Louvre, the Petit Palais, etc.

This small side table opens to reveal a long drawer and features a leather-covered pull tab along its depth. With its writing and storage functions being rather anecdotal, this type of table was generally intended for a living room or boudoir, to hold a light source. Rectangular in shape, it rests on square, tapered legs. Its apparent simplicity does not hide its elegance and precision from connoisseurs: the top is finely inlaid with amaranth and rosewood, surrounded by a refined gilt bronze molding. Crafted from the same precious woods, the apron and legs are decorated with protruding panels, giving this table a very “chic” look. The small and few bronze details are, on closer inspection, anything but simple; the nervy rings, the elongated and structured feet, and the very original keyhole are all perfectly chiselled and gilded.

This table is in good condition, with no modifications or replacements. Only the leather had to be changed, as the table was recently restored according to the rules of the art.