Glass coffee table with display case, Maison Jansen, France, 1970s

Description

Glass coffee table with display case, Maison Jansen, France, 1970s

We are delighted to feature one of Maison Jansen’s designs in our boutique. This is a rectangular coffee table with a sliding top and a display case inside. It was produced in the 1970s and fully reflects the fashion and Hollywood Regency style prevalent at the time. Both the tops and the side walls of the display case are made of glass. The heavy, substantial frame is made of gold-plated chromed metal. This is a very elegant design preserved in its original condition. It bears signs of age and use in the form of scuffs, patina and scratches on the upper glass. It is, however, such a unique piece of furniture that all of its imperfections accumulated over time disappear in the overall impression.

The Parisian Maison Jansen was one of the most influential firms shaping interior design in the 20th century. Designs from this French design house formed part of the interiors of royal families, heads of state and other social elites. It was founded in 1880 by the Dutch designer Jean-Henry Jansen and quickly became recognised as one of the most luxurious brands with an international reputation. In the early 1920s, Stéphane Boudin joined Jansen, and his attention to detail, concern for historical accuracy and ability to create dramatic, memorable spaces brought the firm increasing success. Among his many projects, Boudin was responsible for renovations at the White House, including the Red Room, designed in collaboration with Paul Manno during the administration of John F. Kennedy. Maison Jansen undertook commissions for a number of impressive clients, including William III, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, King Leopold II of Belgium, oil magnate Charles Bierer Wrightsman, Leeda Castle, the Parr Hotel in Vienna, the German Reichsbank, the Rockefellers, Coco Chanel and Elsie de Wolfe. Maison Jansen closed in 1989. Today, its designs are sought after by collectors and command high prices at auction.