Vip access
Favourites
makers / Béfort Jeune
Béfort Jeune
Biography
Maison Béfort was one of the most distinguished names in 19th-century Parisian furniture, known for its exceptional craftsmanship in Boulle marquetry and French revival styles. Founded by Mathieu Béfort, or Béfort Jeune (1813–1880), the firm produced museum-quality pieces from 1844 to around 1880 at its workshop on rue Neuve-Saint-Gilles in Paris.
Specializing in Louis XIV and Louis XV revival furniture, Béfort’s work was admired for its intricate brass and tortoiseshell inlays, elaborate gilt bronze mounts, and rich ebony veneers.
Béfort came from a family of cabinetmakers. His father, Jean-Baptiste Béfort, supplied furniture to the Duc d’Orléans, and his older brother, Bernard Béfort, also ran a successful workshop. Under Mathieu’s leadership, the firm gained widespread recognition, winning a medal at the Exposition des Produits de l'Industrie Française in 1844. His furniture, often inspired by André-Charles Boulle’s 17th-century designs, featured striking contrast, complex patterns, and high-quality materials, making it highly desirable among collectors and aristocrats of the time.
By the 1880s, renowned cabinetmaker Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener took over the Béfort workshop, continuing its tradition of fine Parisian furniture making. Today, Maison Béfort’s antique pieces are highly sought after, frequently appearing in major museum collections and private estates. Their timeless craftsmanship, particularly in Boulle marquetry and ormolu-mounted furniture, ensures that Béfort remains one of the most important names in French decorative arts.
