An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Desk Chair, By Kahn, Paris.
Incised ‘L. KAHN’ to the back of the mounts.
The bow-shaped top rail applied with a gilt-bronze anthemion mount above a lyre central back rest. The front legs headed by Egyptian terms. Upholstered in green leather.
France, Circa 1900.
Kahn, E. and Kahn, L.
Édouard Kahn is recorded at 20-22 rue Saint-Bernard in 1905, close to the faubourg Saint-Antoine furniture making district where François Linke and his contemporaries had their workshops. Whereas a Léon Kahn is listed in 1900 as a ‘ciseleur sur métaux’ at 3 rue Debelleyme in the main area for bronze makers. It can be supposed that the two were related.
Gilt-bronze mounts signed on the reverse ‘KAHN’ are widely recorded on French furniture made at this time, including on pieces after celebrated 18th century models by Weisweiler, Benneman and Cressent. E. Kahn also had premises in London as ‘Manufacturers of Furniture and Upholstery’ and advertised François Linke’s Grand Bureau in his London publicity, underscoring the close associations between makers of the day.
Payne, Christopher. Paris Furniture – the luxury market of the 19th century, Éditions Monelle Hayot, (Paris), 2018; p. 405.
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