Vintage Art Nouveau nesting tables in wood and brass

Extraordinary set of nesting tables influenced by Japonism typical of the Art Nouveau style of the late 19th century, attributed to the famous French artist Gabriel-Frédéric Viardot. Japan had just opened its doors to Europe and it was such a refined and exotic art that artists from all over the world were influenced by it. The top of the tables is decorated with wooden inlays, fine sheets of brass and mother-of-pearl that represent turtles, mice, bonsai trees and together, all of them elements of clear oriental inspiration. The sides of the tables that form the legs and the chambranas are an ode to Japanese art, with a framework of carved wooden lattices full of oriental symbols, impeccably exquisite in their aesthetics and design. Gabriel-Frédéric Viardot (1830 - 1906) Gabriel-Frédéric Viardot was one of the most important figures in furniture production in France at the end of the 19th century. Viardot began his career in the Parisian cabinetmaking workshop Jeanselme, which he supplied to the court of Napoleon III. At just 19 years old he was named head of a small team of sculptors. Over time, he became an important wood carver and cabinetmaker in an orientalist style, clearly inspired by Chinese-Japanese. Around 1853 he opened a factory and shop with his brother, Louis Gustave, under the name "Viardot Brothers and Co", until in 1860, he created his own workshop, "G. Viardot". Passionate about Chinese-Japanese style and inspiration furniture, his furniture was made using lacquered and carved panels sent directly from China or Japan and decorated with Tonkin mother-of-pearl inlays. He enlivened his furniture with bronze ornaments, of which he made all the designs by hand. As the years went by, his success only grew, especially at the exhibitions in Nice and at the 8th exhibition of the Central Union of Decorative Arts in 1884. In 1885 he participated in the Universal Exhibition in Antwerp, where he obtained a gold medal. As a result of this exhibition, Gabriel Viardot was named Knight of the Legion of Honor. In 1889, he was at the World's Fair in Paris and was awarded a gold medal. He obtained the same award at the Universal Exhibition of 1900. Small defects in the inlays (as shown in the images), typical of its age and use, but do not alter the general vision of the work or its value. Possibility of restoration. Dimensions from largest to smallest: 77 x 60 x 37 cm. 75 x 50 x 38 cm. 71 x 45 x 37 cm. 69 x 40 x 37 cm. Reference : 307940