Empire chest of drawers - stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée

Dimensions: H x W x D: 92 x 131 x 63 cm

Description:
Four carved, bronze-patinated paw feet support the minimalist furniture body with two large drawers and two smaller drawers above them, framed by gilded brass profiles.
A light grey marble top with white veins and a cast, fire-gilt openwork bronze gallery forms the upper end. The signature is on the front left under the plate: JACOB FRÈRES RUE MESLÉE.

The body is constructed with a frame and panelled construction and, like the drawers, is very neatly crafted from oak.
In addition to the excellent craftsmanship, the balanced proportions of the chest of drawers are impressive. The cubist, almost modern appearance of the piece of furniture was stylistically far ahead of its time.
Silky iridescent, calmly grained mahogany veneer forms the background against which the lines emphasised by the gilded mouldings come into their own. The deliberate omission of additional fittings - the drawers are only pulled with keys - increases the tension created by the contrast between the empty surfaces and the opulent gilded mouldings.

The design of the chest of drawers probably goes back to a model by Charles Percier (1764-1838), who had been working with Georges Jacob I since he furnished the Convent in the Tuileries Palace in 1792. The latter handed his business over to his sons Georges II and Francois Jacob in 1796, who ran it under the name "Jacob Frères, Rue Meslée" until the death of Georges II in 1803 and stamped their furniture accordingly.

Provenance:
The piece of furniture offered here was auctioned at Christie's London on 5 July 2007, lot 88. Result: 27000,- Euro incl. buyer's premium.

Condition:
The chest of drawers is in a well-kept, ready-to-live-in condition with beautiful age patina. Three keys are present.

Price: 11500,- €