Mathieu Béfort dit Béfort Jeune French, b. 1813 A LOUIS XVI STYLE GILT BRONZE MOUNTED EBONY AND JAPANESE LACQUER DECORATED SIDE CABINET PARIS, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

surmounted by a Saint-Anne des Pyrénnées marble top, opening to one adjustable shelf, the carcass stamped twice BEFORT JEUNE

Hotel Drouot, Paris, December 16, 1988, lot 145
Gallerie Bernard and Benjamin Steinitz
Sotheby's New York, October 29, 2014, lot 23

Overall in good condition and presentation with the usual minor scratches, dents and nicks to veneers and carcass consistent with age and use. Cracks to both inside doors owing to age and atmospheric conditions. Two full length vertical cracks on proper left hand door have been filled and retouched. The other door with some minor infill. Tarnishing to gilt-bronze in places although cleaned and very finely cast and chased. The marble with the usual minute chips to edges, scratches to surface consistent with age and use. Filler showing across the full length of the marble towards the back edge along previous restoration.
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.

Mathieu Béfort 1813-1880, also known as Béfort Jeune, comes from a renowned dynasty of cabinet makers and bronziers beginning as early as 1817. He lived at 1 and 6 rue Neuve-Saint-Gilles in Paris from 1844 to 1880.  Mathieu was the son of Jean-Baptiste Béfort (1783-1840), who was of Belgian origin and renowned for having supplied furniture for the apartments of the Duc d'Orléans.  His older brother, Bernard Béfort, was active between 1836 and 1858. Afterwards, Mathieu would take over the business until 1878. As a gifted ébèniste-marqueteur, he specialized in Boulle-style marquetry, in particular on high quality works inspired by the work of André-Charles-Boulle himself. Lacquered cabinets or desks are not immediately associated with the cabinet maker oeuvre, however the present lot is clearly a testament to the master's ability to render high end carftmenship. A Japanese lacquer bureau, based on a design by Charles Cressent was sold Sotheby's, New York, November 16, 2011, lot 104. Joseph Emmanuel Zwiener reputedly took over the Béfort firm circa 1880.