P.MARCION stamped: Officer's armchair in mahogany, Consulate-Empire period.

Rare mahogany officer's armchair with headband backrest and armrests ending in muzzles representing the Nemean lion, some of whose characteristics are the human hair and the scar on the eye.
In the form of "animal skin", its tail covers part of the armrest. The general line of this officer's armchair, stamped P.Marcion, makes it a particularly elegant and original model. Like Canabas or Weisweiller, the Marcion "style" is easily identifiable: sober and refined.

Very good condition, perfect stability (belt reinforcements), covered with Empire green leather of excellent quality.
Stamped P. MARCION
Consulate-Empire period, circa 1800-1805

Pierre-Benoit Marcion (1769-1840),
was one of the suppliers of Napoleon 1st. From the time of the Directory, he had a workshop and a cabinetmaking shop, rue Neuve-des-Petits-Champs, near rue Chabanais, "Aux Égyptiens", and published advertisements inviting the public to see his " choice of style furniture, in mahogany wood, richly decorated with bronze, according to the beautiful shapes of Etruscan, Egyptian, Greek and Roman Antiquities”. His house, having grown in importance, was soon transferred to rue Helvétius (formerly Sainte-Anne), then rue Saint-Marc. In 1806, Marcion presented tenders to the Garde-meuble for the supply of boat beds, sofas, bergères and armchairs with winged figures, seats with "saber sheath" legs, psyches, tripod washbasins, somnos or bedside tables. , etc. A large number of works were requested from him for the palaces of Saint-Cloud, Trianon, Compiègne, Fontainebleau and Rambouillet. One of his capital works was the bed of Empress Marie-Louise which he executed in 1809. This couch, all in gilded walnut, offered very rich sculptures decorated with swans, garlands and foliage; it was completed by two torchieres bearing kneeling figures which supported the draperies of the baldachin. Marcion was also entrusted with considerable work for the service of the ministers and grand officers of the Crown. Victim of a crisis that raged throughout French industry in the last years of Napoleon's reign, this cabinetmaker went bankrupt in 1814. The State collections contain a few pieces bearing the stamp of P. MARCION.Bibliography:- "The 18th century cabinetmakers of François de Salverte" - Pierre-Benoit Marcion (1769-1840) - Napoleon's cabinetmaker, Jean-Pierre Planchon.

Ref: WMD32U7T83