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A superb Empire gilt bronze mounted mahogany grand console table attributed to Jacob-Desmalter et Cie with wonderful bronze mounts attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, the original rectangular Portoro extra marble top above a frieze ornamented with mounts featuring at centre an Apollo mask within an oval medallion between horn blowing chimeras and foliate scrolls, flanked either end by winged chimeras above columnar supports with bronze Corinthian capitals and base before an original mirrored back on a rectangular base
Paris, date circa 1805-10
Height 100,5cm, length 166 cm, width 54,5 cm.
The exceptional size, overall quality and in particular the mounts indicates that this piece must have been made for an important client. The casting and finishing of such complex bronzes was almost certainly the work of the fondeur-ciseleur Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) who often collaborated with Jacob-Desmalter et Cie. Jacob-Desmalter at rue de Meslée, Paris was one of the most important firms of furniture makers during the Empire and Restauration. When its founder Georges Jacob (1739-1814), the greatest menuisier of the Louis XVI period, retired in 1796, he was succeeded by his two sons Georges II (1768-1803) and François-Honoré-Georges Jacob (1770-1841), who worked under the name of Jacob Frères. But when Georges II died shortly after, his brother who added the suffix of Desmalter (named after one of his father’s properties in Burgundy), went back into business with his father at rue de Meslée and renamed the firm Jacob-Desmalter et Cie. During the Empire François-Honoré-Georges was described as menuisier-ébéniste, fabriquant des meubles et bronzes de LL., MM., II. et RR (Leurs Majestés Impériales et Royales), implying that he played an active role in the practical side of the firm’s craftsmanship.
The firm’s activities expanded enormously following Jacob-Desmalter’s appointment as ébéniste de l’Empereur. Numerous commissions came from the Garde-Meuble Imperial to supply furniture to various Bonaparte residences, especially those of the Empress Joséphine. The firm was also patronised by many notable figures and rich Parisian bourgeoisie. Commissions also came from abroad, from Czar Alexander I of Russia and Charles IV of Spain. Among the firm’s most important surviving items are the Imperial throne at Fontainebleau, the jewel cabinet made for Marie-Louise and the display cases in the Cabinet des Antiques at the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris. Jacob-Desmalter’s work can also be admired in numerous other collections including the Châteaux de Compiègne, Fontainebleau, Malmaison, Versailles and Sceaux l’Ille-de-France as well as the Musées du Louvre, Marmottan, Mobile National, Grand Trianon, Napoléon and Tours. In addition, the Bibliothèque Marmottan, Banque de France, Ministère des Affaires Etrangères and the Palais d’Aranjuez in Spain are among many others to house work by Jacob-Desmalter.
The almost unrivalled success of the firm was as much due to the quality of its productions as to its innovate designs. Percier and Fontaine, P.-P. Prud’hon, J-L David, F.-J. Belanger and Baron V. Denon were among distinguished painters and architects to provide designs. The fine lines and characteristic form of Jacob-Desmalter’s work was further embellished with elaborate gilt bronze mounts, supplied by such celebrated figures as P.-P. Thomire, J.-B.-C. Odiot, Feuchère and P.-M. Delafontaine.
Despite its phenomenal repute, the firm, like many others in the luxury trade, suffered severe financial problems during the industrial crisis following the Peninsular War and Russian campaign. In 1813 Georges I Jacob retired, coinciding with the firm declaring bankruptcy. This however was short lived as business revived rapidly after the Restoration of Louis XVIII in 1814, and continued up until 1847 when it was sold to Charles-Joseph-Marie Jeanselme (1827– after 1871).
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