Object Description
An Exceptional, Exhibition Quality, 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany And Brass Secretaire Abbatant, Having Original Veined Marble Top With Attractive Pierced Brass Gallery, Over Various Drawers With Brass Moulded Decoration And Original Brass Handles, Incorporating Fall Front Which Encloses Attractive Fitted Interior And Writing Slope, Flanked To Each Side By Elegant Brass Headed, Fluted Turned Columns, Raised On Original Turned Feet With Original Brass Caps.
Stamped With Makers Name – ” H.Lemoine, Paris “.
H. Lemoine refers to the Parisian furniture-making family Lemarchand-Lemoine, a prominent supplier to Napoleon III. The family initially operated workshops at 17, rue des Tournelles before later being associated with Louis-Edouard LEMARCHAND and eventually being taken over by Charles JEANSELME in 1893.
Andre Lemoine and Louis-Edouard Lemarchand were cabinet makers based in Paris from 1846 onwards. In 1863, Henri Lemoine took over and continued the business until 1893. Lemoine and Lemarchand were one of the chief suppliers of furniture to the French Imperial family, in particular to Napoleon III.
Henri Lemoine succeeded his father in 1863 and continued to be a patented supplier of Napoleon III. Indeed there is even a Lemarchand-Lemoine table preserved at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, a true indication of the high standing that their work is held in.
This lovely chest of drawers is of the very best quality, exactly as one would expect when taking all of the above into account. Every material used is of the very highest quality possible and the cabinet making is quite exceptional.
The item is very much as fit for purpose and functional as the day it was made and would really add to absolutely any environment which it is placed in.
It is rare to find items of this quality available, especially in such good condition, having received just a natural wax polish at our workshops before being placed on sale.
Circa 1870.
Height 58.25in.
Width 31in.
Depth 18.5in.