French designer Jean Claude Mahey is best known for his elegant Hollywood Regency and Art Deco–style burl wood furniture. Vintage Mahey tables, mirrors and case pieces are often embellished with decorative techniques so that the rich, sumptuous materials he uses are paired with marquetry, lacquer, marble elements or brass accents that renders his furniture striking in contemporary dining rooms and living rooms.
Born in Mayenne, France, in 1944, Mahey found himself surrounded by a close family of painters and decorators. He graduated from the College of Applied Arts of Paris in 1966. From 1967 to 1976, Mahey worked for several luxury furniture manufacturers such as Maison Jansen, Roche Bobois, Maison Romeo and Maville Interiors. In 1976, he decided to make the bold move of striking out on his own and founded his namesake furniture design company.
Besides his love of marquetry, Mahey was interested in perfecting a heavy lacquer technique that produced mirror-like finishes and softened hard edges. Lacquered furniture and decor have long been cherished by design lovers. In the 18th century, European and English royals adored Japanese lacquerware.
During the Art Deco period, French furniture designers partnered with Japanese lacquerers to create a whole new genre of shimmering cabinetry — Jean Dunand learned the techniques from Japanese lacquer master Seizo Sugawara and introduced his first of many lacquered pieces in 1921. Dunand wasn’t the only Art Deco designer to use the material (Irish architect Eileen Gray famously did so too), but he employed it much more prolifically and decoratively. Collectors greatly admire and seek out Mahey’s lacquered chests of drawers and cabinets.
Today Mahey’s atelier is still family-led. Working closely with his wife, Betty, they have created many successful designs popular throughout France and around the world. In 1992, he opened his current showroom in the center of Paris and soon after, his children Cecilia and Maxence joined the family firm.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Jean Claude Mahey tables, storage pieces, lighting and more.
1970s Chest of Drawers by Jean Claude Mahey
By Jean Claude Mahey
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Rare Lacquered wood commode with inclusion of labradorite stones. Belgium Circa 1970's
Wood, Lacquer
$3,440
H 29.34 in W 35.63 in D 16.74 in
Mid Century French Lacquered Sideboard Cabinet Pierre Vandel Paris C.1970
By Pierre Vandel
Located in London, GB
Mid Century French Lacquered Sideboard Cabinet Pierre Vandel Paris C.1970 PIERRE VANDEL, PARIS: A black and gilt lacquered sideboard cabinet, on stile feet, with gilded designers 'P...
Aluminum
$9,194
H 25.6 in W 33.86 in D 18.51 in
One of a Kind Trunk Chest of Drawer in the Manner of Jacques Quinet
By Jacques Quinet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Very unusual leather trunk with drawers Great condition.
Leather
$12,377
H 42.52 in W 60.24 in D 24.81 in
20th Century Lacquered and Gold Wood with Marble Top Italian Chest of Drawers
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian chest of drawers from the first half of the 20th century. A curved piece of furniture, crafted from finely carved, lacquered, and gilded wood with four lateral caryatids. The...
Marble
Modern Gilt Lacquered Studded Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern gilt lacquered studded chest of drawers, with black lacquered top fitted with two drawers, one smaller and the lower drawer twice the size, raised...
Wood, Lacquer
Chest of Drawers with Two Drawers by Jacques Adnet, France
By Compagnie Des Arts Français, Jacques Adnet
Located in Uccle, BE
About this Chest of drawers with two drawers by Jacques Adnet Chest of drawers with two drawers, the wooden structure entirely covered in black imitation leather. The brass feet in...
Faux Leather, Wood
$11,504Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 35.4 in W 55.1 in D 18.9 in
Soho Sideboard - Hand-Crafted Wood, Marquetry & Gold Leaf - Boca do Lobo
Located in Rio Tinto, PT
As Boca do Lobo's pioneering piece, this ground-breaking sideboard highlights irreverent design and Portuguese finest craftsmanship. Soho named the first collection of the brand, boosting its first international steps when presented for the first time in one of the world’s leading design and craftsmanship capitals, London. The contemporary sideboard is involved by an elegant frame of tempered glass. Composed by fifteen drawers and two doors with a series of styles and typologies, the sideboard plays an authentic triumph of materials, finishes and techniques, from cutting glass, woodcarving, and leaf gilding. With simple lines and rich details, this exquisite piece with sleek brass handles is designed to complement a variety of dining room styles or entrance halls. An ode to ancient finest craftsmanship reinterpreted as modern art work.
Crystal, Metal, Brass, Gold Leaf
$14,740
H 27.96 in W 37.41 in D 18.9 in
Black Lacquered Chest of Drawers by Guy Lefèvre for Maison Jansen
By Guy Lefevre, Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This chest of drawers is made of black lacquered wood with bronze handles. This is a French work by famous designer Guy Lefèvre for Maison Jansen. circa 1970.
Bronze
$12,053 / item
H 33.47 in W 94.49 in D 18.9 in
Malerba Secret Love Buffet, Lacquered Wood, Modern Design, Italy
By Malerba
Located in Munich, Bavaria
The Secret Love buffet is a lacquered piece with refined metal details, perfectly combining clean design and modern aesthetics. Its sleek lines and high-quality finishes make it idea...
Wood, Lacquer
Sandro Petti chest of drawers Angolometalarte France 1977
By Angolometallarte, Sandro Petti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This rare drawer cabinet, designed by Sandro Petti and manufactured by Angolometalarte in France in 1977, is a stunning example of sophisticated design and craftsmanship. The cabinet...
Brass, Chrome
Jean-Luc Le Mounier, Contemporary Jewel Box with Finely Embroidered Doors
By Jean-Luc Le Mounier
Located in New York, NY
By employing ever-more complex techniques, wedding rare species of wood and precious metals in novel arrangements, and endowing each piece with incredible components, Jean-Luc Le Mou...
Bronze
Maison Jansen, Pair of Black Lacquer Cabinets, France, 1965
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Twin columns of twisted gilt wood form the vertical borders of this gracefully symmetrical, black lacquered, double door cabinet. Provenance: In 1965 Maison Jansen decorated a Paris...
Wood
In the manner of Maison Jansen, Ebonized, Mirrored, and Parcel-gilt Console
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
This capacious art deco cabinet has two doors, edged with mirrored panels and gilt trim, that open to reveal four interior shelves. Four drawers are arranged just beneath its white m...
Marble
Large Two-Door Commode by Jules Leleu, France, 1939
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Macassar ebony two-door commode with mother of pearl and ebony inlay by Jules Leleu (1883-1961). Marquetry by Messager. This cabinet was exhibited in the museum show "Leleu 50 ans de mobilier et de décoration, 1920-1970" held in 2007 and 2008 at the Musée des Années 30, Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris, France and at La Piscine - Musée Art et Industrie...
Macassar, Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony
Maison Leleu, Four-Door Cabinet, France, 1961
By Maison Leleu
Located in New York, NY
This cabinet was specifically designed for the living room of Mr. Frilet, one of Leleu’s most important clients. This cabinet is recorded in Maison Leleu’s Livre des Cre´ations under: 5457 Grand Meuble - Salon de Mr Frilet in 1961. It is also mentioned in the document: Statement Lacquer Cabinets 03 -28-1962 Sm res, dated March 28...
Gold Leaf
Jules Leleu Cabinet, France, 1956
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Vitrine by Jules Leleu in mahogany marquetry with glass sliding doors and gilt bronze legs Bears its original label dated Nov 9th 1956, and is numbered on the back: 28332 Prove...
Bronze
