Unknown to the general public the ‘polytype mosaic’ was a process developed in Paris around 1792 by Stanislas-Aloys Straubharth, mosaic furniture craftsman. Polytype involves exactly reproducing wooden or metal engraving for printing and decorative purposes. Only a few pieces were produced, as evidenced by the l’Exposition des produits de l’industrie of 1819 where a table à thé and a console were on display. These pieces were well received and were acquired by the Garde-meuble in 1822. In 1825, in the Bazaar parisien, one can read ‘that which adds to the merit and beauty of this process, it that the entire thing receives a polish as beautiful as marble’ (p.319).