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Empire “Poudreuse” Dressing Table – Paris, Early 19th Century
Rare French Empire-period dressing table, crafted in Paris in the early 1800s. A compact yet well-balanced piece, featuring four turned columns supporting a tilting oval mirror and a wooden top with its original marble insert — designed to hold bottles, combs, and grooming tools.
The term poudreuse refers to a specific type of furniture used for personal care, commonly found in the private apartments of the female elite during the Napoleonic era. This particular example is a refined version, likely intended for a bourgeois or aristocratic interior.
Made entirely of flamed mahogany and hand-polished with shellac, it is embellished with small brass details and rests on an arched base that provides both stability and visual lightness. The adjustable mirror was designed for practical, daily use — for grooming, hairdressing, or applying makeup.
Today, it can be used as a bedroom dressing table or a stylish vanity corner in a refined bathroom, adding a touch of elegance to any space. A rare piece, well preserved and carefully restored.
- Size: cm 65 x 40 x 133 h.
- Condition: Restored
- Period: Early 19th
- Style: Empire
- State: Excellent conditions
