A Napoleon III gilt bronze mounted rosewood, bois satine and marquetry table en chiffoniere by Maison Giroux


Inlaid with flowers, the frieze drawer above a galleried platform undertier, 65cm wide x 43cm deep x 78cm high, (25 1/2in wide x 16 1/2in deep x 30 1/2in high)
|The lockplate on the present lot is engraved: 'Mson. GIROUX, PARIS'.Alphonse Giroux and Co. ran a celebrated curiosity and luxury goods shop located at No. 7 Rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré in Paris. The business was active from the time of the Consulate (circa 1800-4) until the end of the Second Empire. The firm, originally founded by François-Simon-Alphonse, was continued in 1838 by his two sons, Alphonse-Gustave (1810-1886) and André (1801-1879). The father became a close associate of the Royal family and specialised in the manufacture of refined items of the highest quality. However it was Alphonse-Gustave who really expanded the activities of the company. After buying a writing desk at the 1855 Universal Exhibition, Napoleon III bought several other pieces of furniture, candelabras and clocks from Maison Giroux for the Compiègne Palace. In 1857, Alphonse Giroux transferred his shop to No. 43, Boulevard des Capucines where he continued to do business until 1867, when he ceded the company to Duvinage and Harinkouck.