Ormolu Mounted Marquetry Armoire By V Epeaux Paris

An outstanding exhibition quality thuya-wood breakfront armoire-cabinet in neo-classical style by Parisian cabinet maker Victor Epeaux, circa 1920, the stepped cornice with a central ormolu neo-classical style mount over a pair of doors with multiple cross-banded borders, the lower section inlaid with recumbent winged lions surrounded by trophies of war and the centre of the doors with a gilt bronze escutcheon, flanked by a pair of cupboard doors of tapering architectural form with gilt-bronze lion terms to the top edges and with central inlaid marquetry panels of urns within a foliate cartouche, on a stepped plinth base raised on bun feet. The central section encloses two brass hanging rails (originally it would have contained shelves which could be replaced), both side cupboards retain their original adjustable shelves which have inlaid veneered fronts. The base of the inner section retains the metal makers label 'EPEAUX. MEUBLES-DECORATION 81-83 AVE LEDRU-ROLLIN. PARIS'.

Victor Epeaux was a renowned cabinet maker based in Paris. He was a contemporary of Guimard and his earlier designs are high quality Art Nouveau pieces, very much in the high Parisian manner of Guimard and Marjorelle. He exhibited a number of pieces at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, a suite of which was sold at Sotheby's, New York 'Important Design' sale, December 16th, 2015, Lots 39,40 & 41 and later sold at the New York Armory show for 500,000 USD. His reputation for high quality workmanship and the use of exotic woods and veneers is evident in this cabinet which displays his propensity for including superlative quality bronze castings and fittings.

This is a unique piece and Epeaux's furnishings rarely come up for sale.