Lot 1210: * Lounge Table Hélard Bout de canapé is an exquisite realisation of the Transition style

Lounge Table Hélard Bout de canapé is an exquisite realisation of the Transition style, capturing the precise moment in French decorative arts when the playful curves of the Louis XV era began to merge with the structured neoclassicism of Louis XVI. Taking its name from the Hélard heritage model, this piece serves as a “Bout de canapé” (sofa end table) that balances mid-18th-century grace with the burgeoning architectural discipline of the late 1700s. Handcrafted from a luxurious combination of rosewood and violet wood veneer, the table features a rectangular form with a single frieze drawer and a practical lower shelf. Its silhouette is defined by four slender cabriole legs that retain a graceful, rhythmic sweep, terminating in refined gilt-bronze accents. The Hélard model is distinguished by its masterful use of pictorial and geometric marquetry. The facade of the frieze drawer is decorated with a complex diamond-pattern parquetry creating a three-dimensional lattice effect, with each segment embellished by a delicate, hand-cut four-leaf clover (quatrefoil) motif. This provides a rhythmic contrast to the dark violet wood background. This precision extends to the side panels and lower shelf, which exhibit book-matched rosewood veneers carefully aligned to showcase the natural, radiating grain of the timber and emphasise the table’s architectural volume. The table is further elevated by a series of custom-cast ormolu (gilt-bronze) mounts, including a subtle, chiselled bronze pull-handle that integrates seamlessly into the marquetry, and gilt-bronze espagnolettes featuring scrolled acanthus leaves that crown each leg. These ornamental lines terminate in refined bronze sabots (shoes) that protect the delicate veneer. It measures 18 inches (48 cm) in height, 31 inches (80 cm) in width, and 31 inches (80 cm) in depth.

. Established in 1812 and currently led by the eighth generation of the Allot family, Ateliers Allot is a premier French institution dedicated to the mastery of fine cabinetmaking and art furniture. As a recipient of the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label, the house is recognized by the French state for its rare and ancestral artisanal excellence. Every piece is meticulously handcrafted in their Brittany workshops and sourced directly from their Paris showroom on Rue de Vaugirard, offering a level of authenticity and unique artistry that stands in stark contrast to the mass-produced reproductions often found in the modern market. [Loc FR794]