205 - Central European dressing table, second half of the 19th century.

Central European dressing table, second half of the 19th century. Walnut-veneered wood with bronze fittings. In good overall condition, with minor imperfections in the veneer. Measurements: 99 x 65 x 46 cm. Provenance: Estate of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Artistic and heritage collection originating in the legacy of Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a seminal figure of 19th-century Catalan Realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched across successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original holdings of both artists alongside acquisitions made by their descendants. Dedicated to preserving and recovering the family legacy, the descendants actively reacquired works by the painters as they entered the market, progressively expanding the collection to encompass paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other items of artistic and historical significance. This dressing table stands out for its ingenious compact design, which combines storage and personal grooming functions into a single unit. The upper section opens via a hinged lid that incorporates a mirror on the inside and reveals a dressing table surface accompanied by small side drawers; the lower section, enclosed by two doors, provides additional storage space with a shelf. Stylistically, it draws on Central European furniture from the second half of the 19th century, combining a sober structure with the decorative effect of carefully arranged walnut surfaces. The door panels make particularly good use of the wood grain pattern, while the rounded moldings and historicist-inspired bronze mounts provide the main ornamental contrast. The integration of the mirror and the compartments within the exterior appearance of a small cabinet is one of the piece’s most distinctive and functional features.