Mahogany gateleg table, late 18th century

Rectangular mahogany "gate leg" table. Resting on eight finely carved legs joined by a brace, the table is composed of two removable flaps supported by two pivoting legs.
Attributed to the cabinetmaker Canabas (received master in 1766)
Late 18th century
Restoration
H. 69 x W. 96 x D. 94 (unfolded) cm

The piece we are presenting today is one of those sought-after for its simple yet perfectly balanced lines, and for its mechanical ingenuity.
It is a piece of furniture that can be transformed from a simple table to a more complex one. Everything is designed to make the piece as refined as possible, but also as practical as possible. Two flaps supported by removable legs enable the table to be unfolded.

This table model is well known. We can cite the pair of tables stamped Canabas and bearing the JME mark sold under lot 69 by the Thierry de Maigret auction house on July 9, 2020. Many of his tables are stamped, others are not, but it is almost certain that they are in his hand. Called "the grand master of small mahogany furniture", Canabas was born in Germany, but moved to Paris in 1745. His first apprentices were Jean-François Oeben and Pierre Migeon. His personal work is easily recognizable: solid mahogany or mahogany veneer of excellent quality, little decoration apart from discreet moldings and very little bronze trim. Most of his work is in the Louis XVI style.
Canabas is particularly popular: he is one of the most sought-after cabinetmakers. This popularity is due to his artistic choices: he creates small, utilitarian pieces of furniture of new designs, designed for specific uses.
In addition to being a charming, curious little piece of furniture, the piece in our study is elaborate and refers to a taste that was very much in vogue at the end of the 18th century: Anglomania. This was inspired by English furniture (with its numerous balustrades and openwork backs) and Chinese palaces. This taste developed by Anglophiles gradually led to the disappearance of marquetry in favor of mahogany, as evidenced by our small piece of furniture.

Sources :
Kjellberg (Pierre), Le mobilier français du XVIIIe siècle, Les éditions de l'amateur