An exceptional late 19th‑century French cast‑iron hall tree (porte‑manteau) produced by the Alfred Corneau foundry in Charleville, France. This is the less commonly seen Model No. 30, clearly stamped on the base cartouche, originating from the firm’s celebrated ‘fonte d’art’ (artistic ironwork) catalog.

A striking Napoleon III design with elements foreshadowing Art Nouveau, it features elaborate open scrollwork, stylised acanthus leaves, and flowing arabesques. The structure is centred on a shaped mirror with double coat and hat hooks, situated above an integral umbrella and cane stand. It retains its original white enamelled cast‑iron drip tray and is raised on a richly cast base marked ‘CORNEAU ALFRED A CHARLEVILLE N° 30’.

The Corneau foundry, established in the mid‑19th century, became one of the foremost producers of decorative cast iron in France, exhibiting at international fairs and supplying ornamental work throughout Europe.