thÉodore Millet A fine Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted birds-eye mahogany cabinet Paris, circa 1885

surmounted by a guilloche cast three-quarter gallery, the central cupboard doors flanked by Corinthian columns and decorated with a watercolor painted panel depicting eighteenth century courtesans by a lakeside with ruins, the stand with a spring-released frieze drawer centered by a high relief jasperware plaque with cloud bourne putti, the lockplate engraved Millet a Paris and opening to two mahogany shelves. 

Ovearll in good condition. Oxidation and tarnishing to gilt-bronze and with verdigris to one floral mount on the front. Jasperware dirty consistent with touching. Nicks and chips to carcass mostly around the legs and, as visible in the catalogue illustration, mainly to the front right leg. Difficult to tell if watercolor is original to cabinet; however it is in pristine condition. The pivoting door has created stress points around hinges resulting in nicks and scratches around door edges. One scratch to top of bottom gallery.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Maison Millet was established by Théodore Millet in 1853, and operated until 1902 from premises at 11, Rue Jacques-Coeur, Paris before relocating to 23, Boulevard Beaumarchais. Maison Millet was a highly regarded furniture firm that was described as producing 'meuble et bronze d'art, genre ancien et moderne.' The company won several awards in the series of exhibitions in London and Paris, such as the gold medal in the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle, a Grand Prix in 1900 and three further diplomes d'honneur and four médailles d'or for the furniture they produced. The firm specialized in the Louis XV and XVI styles, though they were acclaimed by their contemporaries for working in their own modern style. In March 1902, the firm was authorized by the Palais de Versailles to replicate Marie-Antoinette's celebrated Grand cabinet à bijoux. An auction was held in 1906 clearing the remaining stock and the firm finally ceased trading in 1918.  Maison Millet was an active client of François Linke.