Maurice Dufrene stack tables

Maurice Dufrene stack tables (#1853)
Early French Art Deco set of two stack tables by Maurice Dufrene, 1912, in lemonwood with amaranth inlays and sculpted legs. Larger: 21.5” wide x 15.5” deep x 27” high. Smaller: 18.25” wide x 12.25” deep x 25” high. Other pieces from this commission, including seating, the vitrine, and salon table are on exhibition in the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Dufrene is considered one of the greatest decorators and cabinetmakers of the early part of the 20th Century. He began his career during the Art Nouveau period (1895-1910) but by 1910 preferred to somewhat restrain the exuberance of that style, bringing more simplicity and symmetry to his creations. These tables are from an exceptional room setting that was commissioned from Dufrene in 1912 and illustrates well the period of creation that followed Art Nouveau. Though the carved floral motifs stayed natural they became more square shaped, following the lines of the furniture.