Consulat Empire period mahogany desk armchair attributed to Jacob Frères

Beautiful mahogany and mahogany veneer shepherd's chair, with ram's head armrests, hoofed goat-leg front legs and Etruscan-style saber back legs. The back is gondola-shaped, the cheeks upholstered and the armrests rounded "officer-style", so that you can sit with a saber. This beautiful chair is said to have come from the descendants of General Maransin (1770-1828), general and baron d'Empire. It is part of a larger set of salon furniture, of which we also have the matching Turkish-style sofa. Parisian work from the Consulat Empire period, circa 1800-1805, most likely by Jacob Frères or another major luxury seating manufacturer - our bergère is not stamped.

The Jacob brothers were the sons of Georges Jacob, one of the greatest chair carpenters of the 18th century. After training them, he left them his workshop in 1796. Georges fils and François-Honoré founded the Jacob Frères company on rue Meslée, producing furniture and seating in the Directoire and Consulat styles. In view of their success, Georges interrupted his retirement to help his son supply furniture for Napoleon I's imperial residences. The Jacob dynasty continued under the Empire and Restoration as suppliers of Imperial and Royal furniture.

Our shepherd's chair is a luxury production, most probably unique and the object of a special order for a family (General Maransin) or a prestigious palace during the Consulate or early Empire. The sculptural quality of the rams' heads is admirable: fine heads with distinctive veining under the skin, curly hair, horns and pointed ears.

A fine collector's chair that also lends itself well to use as an office chair.

We have had this seat completely restored: the frame has been completely dismantled, reworked and restored with a stamp varnish redone in the old fashioned way; horsehair upholstery on straps and a feather cushion. It is covered with a silk gourgouran with orange and black lines by Prelle. The structure is in excellent condition, with no play.

A very fine model, a rare collector's item for the discerning connoisseur, restored to museum-quality finish.

Seat height: 84cm
Seat height: 43cm
Width : 63cm

Ref: W1YRKFYJEB