Mahogany tilting pedestal table stamped by Jean-Henri Riesener

Tilting mahogany pedestal table composed of a molded and openwork central shaft resting on three scrolled legs. The tray is set with a brass ingot mould.
Stamped Jean-Henri Riesener and JME
Louis XVI period
Restorations of use
H. 74 x D. 63 cm

The pedestal table we present today bears the mark of the famous cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806). It is particularly his career that must be highlighted to understand what place his furniture had in the evolution of French decorative art production.
The latter is of German origin and comes to settle in his youth in Paris. He entered one of the most prestigious workshops in the capital: that of Jean-François Oeben. His career took off: he became one of the main collaborators of the workshop, then took over its management after the death of its founder in 1763. He then married Oeben's widow, Françoise Marguerite, and finally obtained his own letters of mastery: his success was total. A real coronation, he even became the official supplier to the court for more than ten years. A cabinetmaker with considerable success, he delivered to royal castles, princely residences, etc. Pierre Kjellberg named him "the undisputed master of Louis XVI furniture". His furniture is of exceptional quality. The diversity of his work is also remarkable. He produced abundantly decorated chests of drawers and secretaries. He developed complex marquetry and elegant bronzes. On the other hand, his production also includes lighter furniture with an astonishing sobriety, as shown by our pedestal table. Like his contemporaries, he made small works with few bronzes.
This pedestal table, in addition to its prestigious signature, is remarkable for its originality. Its composition, especially the shaft, is original, which makes it a real collector's piece of furniture.