A gilt beechwood Empire fauteuil
With curved backrest and armrests (the padding possibly later) resting on tapering paw-feet topped by caryatids and back legs of square section. Re-upholstered. The polychromy retouched in gold-bronze over older damage. H 98, depth of seat 52 cm.
Attributed to Jacob-Desmalter, Paris, 1803 - 13.
This armchair displays strong similarity to an example in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The piece kept in England was fashioned for the Hôtel de Saisseval, the Parisian residence of Napoleon's marshal Ney, by the company of Jacob-Desmalter, which was one of the largest and most famous cabinetmakers in Paris.
The firm was founded in 1765 by Georges Jacob, and they soon began producing furniture for the court of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Following the Revolution, Jacob was able to react to the changing times with greater resilience than perhaps any other furniture maker of his times, quickly adapting to become a proponent of the newer, simpler designs. His sons took over the firm in 1796, and the name Jacob-Desmalter was established in 1803. The establishment of the empire led to a resurgence in more opulent furnishing styles, and Jacob once again began decorating the Imperial palaces with the most fashionable designs.
Literature
An almost identical armchain in the Victoria & Albert Museum London, inv. no. W.7A-1987.
Cf. also: Jarry, Stilmöbel. Stühle-Sessel-Kanapees, Düsseldorf-Lausanne, undated, no. 83, for a fauteuil in the Mobilier national of very similar design, also unstamped.