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RICHARD REDDING ANTIQUES |
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RICHARD REDDING ANTIQUES |
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An extremely fine Restauration gilt bronze mounted mahogany guéridon by Jacob-Desmalter et Cie, stamped • IACOB, the circular dished grey veined marble top above a gilt ringed baluster support carved with a stiff leaf band on three short scrolled legs each headed by a lotus leaf, with carved scrolls and lotus ornamentation to the angles and terminating in large gilt bronze mounted lion paw feet Paris, date circa 1815-20 Height 70 cm, diameter of top 81 cm. This handsome guéridon includes many typical elements belonging to the work of the celebrated firm of Parisian ébénistes Jacob-Desmalter et Cie. Such characteristics include its quality as well as the combination of gilt bronze mounts with mahogany and fine marble, next its massive form and solid proportions and finally the reference to both Classical Antiquity in the guise of scrolled tripod legs and lion paw feet as well as the Egyptian taste in the form of lotus leaf decoration. Jacob-Desmalter often featured lion paw feet on its furniture, ranging for instance from a secrétaire à abattant in the Pavillon du Labrador, Palais d’Aranjuez, Spain, to a bed made for the Empress’s bed chamber at Château de Compiègne, which, as here, also has lotus leaf decoration. A mahogany bureau made for Château de Rosny, which though having smaller feet has, as here, legs headed by scrolls and lotus ornamentation (each respectively illustrated in Denise Ledoux-Lebard, “Le Mobilier Français du XIXe Siècleâ€, 2000, pp. 280, 311, 349). Jacob-Desmalter at rue de Meslée, Paris was one of the most important firms of furniture makers during the Empire and Restauration periods. During the years 1813-25 its furniture was stamped, as here, • IACOB which replaced the earlier stamp JACOB • D • R • MESLEE, used 1803-13. The firm was founded by Georges Jacob (1739-1814), the greatest menuisier of the Louis XVI period. Following his retirement 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. However Georges II died shortly after so his brother, who added the suffix Desmalter (after one of his father’s properties in Burgundy), went back into business with his father 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, for instance from Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Charles IV of Spain. Among the firm’s most important surviving items is the Imperial throne at Fontainebleau, the jewel cabinet made for Marie-Louise and display cases in the Cabinet des Antiques at the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris. Jacob-Desmalter’s work is also represented at 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 the firm’s work. Despite phenomenal repute, the firm, like many in the luxury trade, suffered severely from 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 (b. 1827 d. after 1871). |