Reading Table attributed to H. Dasson, France circa 1885

Charming Louis XV style reading table. It opens on one side by a compartmental drawer and by a sliding shelf, forming a writing board and being able to switch to a reading position. Its tray in amaranth and satine veneer is circled by a border. Beautiful garniture of chiseled and gilded bronze composed of clasp and sinuous handles. It rests on four cabriole legs adorned with leafy falls ending with hooves.

Easily mobile thanks to its handles, the discreet bronzes with harmonious proportions, the contrast veneer and the elegant lines with slightly curved feet evoke the creations of B.V.R.B. This talented cabinetmaker had a preference for small coffee tables, jewelry boxes and writing tables that he marked with an ormolu Rocaille clasp.

Related work :
Writing table attributed to B.V.R.B, circa 1750, Musée Cognac-Jay

Biography :
Henry Dasson executed in his Paris workshop sumptuous copies of royal XVIIIth century models and some pieces of his own modified XVIIIth century design. For his pieces of furniture, he used the very finest ormolu mounts with high quality mercurial gilding. He mainly produced in the Louis XV and Louis XVI style. His participation at the Paris 1878 Universal Exhibition was highly remarked with a Louis XVI style table, all made of bronze and considered as a «chasing masterpiece», and a copy of the famous King Louis XV desk (original piece exhibited at Versailles), which was also admired by critics. At the 1889 Universal Exhibition, he won a «grand Prix» for his outstanding furniture. Dasson closed down his business in 1894.

Bernard II Van Risen Burgh, master around 1735 is the most famous of the B.V.R.B dynasty, cabinet-makers of Dutch origin. He worked for rich customers, including the Royal familyIl a travaillé pour une riche clientèle ; y compris la famille royale through furniture dealers such as Hébert, Lazare Duvaux ou Simon Philippe Poirier. He created furniture in the Rocaille theme, Il réalise des meubles dans l’esprit rocaille, which are characterized by a great sense of proportion, the elegance of the curves,. His works are located in many museums such as Versailles, the Louvre, the National Gallery or the Metropolitan Museum.