This exquisite dining set was designed in the 1920's by Maison Bellon, an eminent Lyonnaise furniture design and fabrication atelier. The woods? The finest imaginable -- macassar ebony and rosewood! Craftsmanship of the highest calibre, with detail after detail attesting to the great design intelligence and acumen of La Maison Bellon. How do I know it's by Bellon? Well, if you'll look on page 44 of Thierry Roche's recent book Les Arts Decoratifs a Lyon 1910 a 1950 you'll find pictures of the argenterie of this exact set! Thierry Roche is the hands-down Art Deco expert of Lyon... and probably the top-ranking in France (which, by default, means The World!).

 

 

The pedestal-supported table measures 49 inches across, with four 20-inch wide leaves for banquets. In classic French style the leaves aren't finished; it was presumed that a large tablecloth would be brought into play for such occasions. The sous-chef might help with the installation of the leaves...

Each corner of the massively heavy octagonal dining table is decorated with a gilded bronze plaque reminding the viewer of his close connection with Nature.

 

 

This cute little server, called "le dessert" in French, measures about 47 inches wide and 18 deep. It's 41 inches tall to the top of the marble, and the mirror in back rises another 18 1/2 inches. The marble is primarily many shades of green, with veins of white. Note the fluting on the legs, and the elegant, graceful drawer handles.

 

 

The "argenterie," or silver chest. The top section stands almost 29 inches tall by itself, and has a mirrored back and one glass shelf; the two beveled glass doors swing out to open. It's plenty roomy for the display of your most precious items! Each cabinet on the left and right has drawers for flatware, but the inserts are removeable, making the drawers useful for other odds and ends. The center cabinet has just one shelf in its middle. This most handsome and versatile piece of furniture measures about 48 inches wide and 19 1/2 deep; overall height, 68 1/2 inches.

 

 

It takes no less than six strong men (I would not be included in that group) to lift this sideboard or buffet, which measures 80 inches wide! Note the beautifully matched rosewood outlined by the macassar ebony. There are bronze plaques inserted in the doors, and the same plant form is shown in the epaulette-like gilt-bronze details at the top of each leg. The depth is 26 inches -- there's more than enough room inside to store every serving piece Martha Stewart might have! Not shown in this picture is a gracefully curved mirror, exactly the same in concept as the mirror shown on the top of "le dessert." It extends the full eighty inches, and is about 20 inches high.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truly fabulous matched woods throughout!

 

 

The six chairs are sturdy and extremely comfortable, still sporting their original green velvet covering (in need of recovering for your average Park Avenue apartment). They stand 36 1/2 inches tall, and the seats are 17 1/2 wide and 15 1/2 deep, excluding the legs. Yes, they're quite comfortable enough for those three-hour meals you'll be serving...

 

 

What's Pierre rustling up for dinner ce soir? No, not rabbit again!!!

 
 

e-mail Jack to start the conversation!

 

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