Napoleon III gilt bronze mounted and ebonized meuble d'appui or pier cabinet attributed to Mathieu Befort (1813-1880). Black marble top with canted front corners over a conforming case with ormolu mounted frieze, single large door inset with an ormolu mounted oval black marble plaque with Pietra Dura floral decoration, ormolu enclosed Pietra Dura floral vignettes to each corner, and outlined in bronze line inlay. The canted sides are mounted with ormolu swags and figural ormolu maidens standing atop columnar supports, above a bracket base with central ormolu female mask and foliate ormolu mounts. Signed "Befort Jeune" in script on the reverse of the center oval plaque. Interior with mirror to back and sides fitted with brackets to hold shelves. 52 3/4" H x 32 3/4" W x 15 7/8" D. Circa 1870. Note: Mathieu Befort was a purveyor of furniture to France's upper class, including Napoleon. He had workshops in Neuve-Saint-Giles between 1844 and 1880.

PROVENANCE: Private Nashville Collection.

CONDITION: Overall good condition with general wear. Top of door with horizontal glue repair. Minor losses and lifting to bronze inlay; losses and wear to Pietra Dura decoration, primarily to vignettes. Some verdigris to bronze mounts along the base and some vertical wood shrinkage noted to the sides. Door hinge repaired.