A kingwood display cabinet by Haentges Frères

A kingwood display cabinet by Haentges Frères, of tall rectangular form, the single door three-quarters glazed above a shaped parquetry panel of radiating herring-bone cross-banding, enclosing a cupboard and two glass shelves, all raised on turned tapering feet and decorated throughout with fine quality ormolu mounts comprising bands of guilloche, egg-and-dart and beading, the corners with pendant garlands, the inset marble top restored, with partial stamp ‘Haentges’. French, circa 1890.

Footnote: See ‘Paris Furniture: The Luxury Market of the 19th Century’ May 2018 by Christopher Payne, p 386 for a similar pair of display cabinets also with a partial stamp but with a label showing the full name and address. ‘Ebenisterie Bronzes, Haentges Frères, Fabricants, rue Titon Paris.  The brothers are listed by Denise Ledoux-Lebard, in Le Mobilier Français du XIXe Siècle, lists Haentges Frères, Immeubles Industriels, at the Paris address in 1883.  Little else is known about the firm although they made good quality case and seat furniture in the Louis XVI style, especially bedroom suites.  In the early 20^th century there are known examples of their work in the Art Deco style and they were still listed in the Annuaire de la curiosité et des beaux- arts in 1937.