Pair of French Empire Period Armchairs or Fauteuils in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841)

Object Description

A pair of Empire mahogany fauteuils or armchair ‘a la Reine’ in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter/ François-Honoré-Georges Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841, son of Jacob Desmalter), newly upholstered in fine green sateen from Manuel Canovas.
A mahogany frame with sabre front legs continuing as arm supports, the back legs raked. The arms carved in shallow relief with acanthus and lotus leaves. The square back slightly curved, the uprights a continuation of the back legs. The top rail features mahogany flamed veneer with the top moulding ending in volutes.

Object History

Jakob Desmalter was one of the largest and best-known furniture-making firm in Paris in the 1800s. The firm had been founded in 1765 by Georges Jacob, who supplied carved furniture and chairs for Queen Marie Antoinette (1755-93) before the French Revolution. During the revolutionary years, Jacob took care to maintain favour with whichever government currently ruled France. In 1796 his sons took over the business and in 1803 the firm of Jacob Frères changed its name to Jacob-Desmalter.

Object Condition

Samoyault, Jean-Pierre: Mobilier Francais Consulat et Empire, Paris 2009, p. 167, fig. 266.

Object Details