Mahogany cooler table stamped Canabas

Mahogany and mahogany veneer cooler resting on four slightly arched feet on castors, joined by two spacer trays. The top features two slots for two silver-plated coolers, two silver-plated compartments and a white marble section set into the top. One side reveals a cutlery drawer. The freshener is adorned with gilded bronze ornamentation consisting of castor feet and a pull knob.
Stamped Canabas
Transition period
Restoration
H. 76.5 x W. 59.5 x D. 46 cm

The Musée du Louvre now holds two refreshment tables of the same model as ours. Another model can be seen at the Musée Nissim de Camondo. Pierre Kjellberg also reproduced a model very similar to ours in his book "Le Mobilier français du XVIIIe siècle".
Canabas was born in Germany, where his family was originally from. But it was in Paris that he launched his career, initially subcontracting for great cabinetmakers such as Migeon, favorite of Madame de Pompadour, and the King's cabinetmaker, Jean-François Oeben. He was awarded his master's degree in 1766, and enjoyed a prosperous career that survived the Revolution, as he continued to produce furniture during the Directoire period.
The refreshment table occupies an interesting place in Canabas' production. On the one hand, it testifies to his great dexterity in creating small pieces of furniture that have nothing dry about their overall look, despite an absence of ornamentation and minimal moldings. The refreshment table is part of a style of small, utilitarian furniture that Canabas was particularly fond of, and whose production accelerated with the advent of the dining room and reduced-domesticity suppers.
These small pieces of furniture, designed for specific uses, are skilfully crafted and compensate for the apparent simplicity of their lines with great practicality and the fine quality of mahogany, a precious and luxurious wood highly prized by the elite.