From “one of the most fabulous homes in London…”

April 2 2009, 12:43pm

Helena Rubinstein's side tables. Photo: Over The Top, Slesin, 2003; p 203. While reading “Over The Top,” Suzanne Slesin’s tome on the life and style of philanthropist and cosmetics mogul Helena Rubinstein, we discovered a photo of a pair of side tables in herliving room almost identical to tables of ours: a pair of première-partie center tables after the model by André-Charles Boulle, dating from the last quarter of the 18th century. One of a pair of center tables after André-Charles Boulle. Carlton Hobbs LLC. Both our tables, made circa 1780, and the Rubinstein tables and are related to a group of tables commissioned from Boulle by Louis XIV in 1701 for the Ménagerie at Versailles. An expert analysis of our tables conducted by conservators at the V&A and world-renowned Boulle expert Mr. Yannick Chastang, confirms this relationship. Helena Rubinstein’s tabletops are demi-lune, or possibly corner-shaped, in form while ours are circular, but each has a very similar frieze and base. Ms. Rubinstein was described in an issue of Woman’s Own magazine as having “insisted on the world’s finest craftsmanship, and the most beautiful materials…she created for herself a penthouse palace.’ We can attest that this style of table is certainly fit for royalty!