Antique French dressing table by Zwiener Jansen Successeur

This magnificent dressing table was crafted by the renowned French firm Zwiener Jansen Successeur around 1900. Founded as a subsidiary of another French furniture company - Maison Jansen - Zwiener Jansen Successeur crafted pieces for an elite clientele and received numerous awards at international exhibitions such as the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle.  

The piece is topped by a cartouche-shaped mirror beautifully framed in an ormolu mount. Flanking it are scrolling acanthus branches terminating with a twin-light candelabra on each side.  

Below is a rectangular mirrored top, an unusual feature on pieces of this type. The frieze is adorned with a selection of ormolu mounts as well as symmetrical veneering and is inset with three lockable drawers. The long rectangular drawer is surrounded by two smaller ones. All are decorated in a similar manner – a pared down ormolu frame is mounted on the edges while a more ornate design can be observed on the escutcheons. The sides of the dressing table feature a similar composition creating a cohesive design.  

Supporting the antique are four fluted quiver-shaped legs mounted with large ormolu mounts. Each one terminates in ormolu acanthus-shaped sabots. 

In places, the wood is stamped ‘JANSEN’ and the reverse of mounts marked ‘ZJ’.  

This superb Louis XVI style dressing table showcases the skills of early 20th century French craftsmen and would be a stunning addition to the appropriate interior space.