A Fine Napoleon III Carved Giltwood Armchair In The Manner of Michel-Victor Cruchet.
This fine fauteuil is richly carved with foliage, shells and ‘C’-Scrolls and is upholstered ‘a chasis’ with floral Beauvais tapestry.
The generous proportions, ornamentation and the modified Louis XV style of this grand fauteuil is in the manner of Michel Victor Cruchet who supplied related chairs to the Duke of Nemours for the Pavillon de Marsan in 1842.
French, Circa 1850.
Michel-Victor Cruchet (1815-1899), was a celebrated sculptor, carver and ornamentalist. Working with the cabinet-makers Ringuet-Leprince, Thuiller and Maigret he was a supplier of the Garde-meuble providing many pieces of furniture to the households of both King Louis-Philippe and Emperor Napoleon III.
Important commissions included audience seating for the Duke of Nemours at the Pavillon de Marsan, in a neo-Louis XV style; Gothic furniture for the Tuileries Palace for Princess Marie d’Orleans and furnishings for the Duke of Aumale in the Château de Chantilly. He was also the official sculptor to the Empress Eugenie.
Cruchet was one of the first to have used carton-pierre (papier mache panels, plaster ornaments) in interior decoration. He knew perfectly the styles of the past and had a great ability to appropriate them. He was influential in opening the way to the eclecticism of the 2nd Empire and participated in several of the international exhibitions of the period, being awarded a silver medal in 1849 and a second-class medal in 1851.
In 1853, he acquired land at No. 22 rue de Douai in Paris , grouping several parcels, he built several buildings on this site including his workshops and showroom.
He left his business to his eldest son in 1869.
Le mobilier français du XIXe siècle- dictionnaire des ébénistes et des menuisiers. Denise Ledoux-Lebard. Ed. de l’amateur.
By appointment only.
