P.BRION, exceptional Empire period stamped ceremonial armchair.

Exceptional carved and gilded wooden ceremonial armchair by Pierre-Gaston Brion, who, along with Jean-Baptiste Rode, is considered the greatest seat carver of the 18th and 19th centuries.
A true masterpiece of Empire-period cabinetmaking, this ceremonial armchair is probably a unique piece, the result of a prestigious commission. The remains of inscriptions on the old label make them impossible to read.
Over the last century, several experts have tried in vain to determine its original provenance.
To illustrate his study of the genius and works of Pierre-Gaston Brion, Ledoux-Lebard presents and details this ceremonial armchair on pages 50-51.

Describing the carvings on this exceptional piece would take up an entire chapter on its own. Each part is finely detailed, leaving no surface untouched.
The rectangular backrest is adorned with a tangle of laurel leaves, doucine gadroons, daisies and fleurons alternating in a garland of acanthus leaves and volutes at the top.
The uprights of the backrests feature flowers in scrolls underlined by laurel leaves, terminating in a scroll and lotus leaf. The flanges are decorated with scrolls and volutes.
The curved belt, carved with grape leaves in half-oaks, and the wide palmette, lotus leaf, cuff and acanthus leaf armrests are supported by uprights with superb winged busts, draped in antique style, and large acanthus leaves.
This magnificent armchair rests on tapered front legs surmounted by three rings, acanthus leaves and rais de coeur and finished with water leaves and a pearl frieze.
The back legs are arched with a wide ribbed palm and a scroll.
As this masterpiece of sculpture and cabinetmaking is referenced and known with its superb green silk fabric and gold Empire motifs, I have chosen to offer it for sale in its beautiful original condition.
With, of course, the possibility of having it restored to the buyer's taste.
Stamped P . BRION
Empire period.

Pierre Gaston Brion (1765-1831)
Considered, along with Jean-Baptiste Rode, to be the greatest seat sculptors of his generation, Pierre-Gaston Brion had to wait until the early 19th century to sell his creations, working for the Garde Meuble Impérial, as well as for a very wealthy international clientele. ....
Prior to this, Pierre-Gaston Brion worked on seat sculptures for Georges Jacob, Jean-Baptiste Claude Sené and Bernard Molitor in the last decade of the 18th century.
Brion was responsible for the sculptures on many of these cabinetmakers' famous chairs.
Pierre-Gaston Brion received his first official commission in 1806, for the Palais de Fontainebleau. He was also in charge of part of the furnishings for the Palais de Monte Cavallo, where he executed the armchairs and bed for the room that later became the Salon Pauline, as well as the armchairs with winged caryatid motifs similar to the proposed model, for the Salon Vert et Or at the Hôtel de Charost, made before 1810, at the request of Napoleon I's favorite sister.
Under the Restoration, Pierre-Gaston Brion continued to supply the Crown. He produced one of his masterpieces (1824-1825): Charles X's parade bed in the Tuileries Palace.

Dimensions :
Height 104 cm
Width 71 cm
Depth 71 cm

This ceremonial armchair is photographed in daylight. So you can appreciate it as it really is. Artificial studio lighting completely changes the color of gilding and patina. This is often a source of disappointment.
As with all my art objects and furniture, I take great care to offer them at a very low expert valuation.
As I don't put all my Furniture and Works of Art on Proantic, I invite you to follow my Instagram account where you can enjoy all the latest news: @monantiquaire

Ref: CKI3IR57TO