A French 1970s faux tortoiseshell and brass magazine rack by Mercier Freres

Furniture and decor created in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles may have been Maison Mercier Frères’s specialty, but the leading 19th-century firm also earned the patronage of European courts and of Eastern royalty for its elegant custom furniture. In subsequent decades, the Maison also explored the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, retaining its wealthy clientele and gaining loyalty among newcomers to the historic manufacturer.

Providing the Spanish crown, the Persian royal family and much of Europe’s royalty with the highest quality furniture was a main source of revenue for Maison Mercier Frères throughout the 19th century. Founded by Claude Mercier, Maison Mercier Frères participated in major French exhibitions, including the 1844 and 1849 Exposition des produits de l’industrie française and the Universal Expositions in 1867 and 1900. 

While it primarily operated out of a manufacturing location on rue Saint-Antoine in Paris, Maison Mercier Frères also established a joint factory in Lyon in 1913 called Mercier & Chaleyssin. A later branch opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1914, with another on 59th Street in New York City in 1927. Despite its popularity, a well-placed store on the Champs-Élysées and worldwide branches, the company closed in 1985, leaving behind a treasure trove of expertly made vintage and antique furniture.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Maison Mercier Frères tables, case pieces, decorative objects and more.