directoire Archives • Ébénisterie Mathieu Vath

Louis XVI psyche mirror Weisweiler

June 17, 2026October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathmahogany, directory, Louis XVI, Veneering - Marquetry, psyche, furniture restoration, 18th century

Restoration of a Louis XVI/Directoire period cheval glass stamped by Adam Weisweiler. This piece of furniture represents one of the innovations in late 18th-century furniture design. Far more than a simple dressing table accessory, it represents a significant evolution in the design of furniture intended for private use. Its appearance coincided with changing lifestyles, the development of new domestic spaces, and evolving practices related to self-presentation. For both the furniture historian and the restorer, the cheval glass is a particularly interesting object. It bears witness to both […]

Directoire armchairs

November 19, 2025October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathmahogany, Solid Wood, directory, Armchair, furniture restoration, 18th century

Restoration of a pair of Directoire period armchairs (circa 1795-1805), made of solid mahogany, except for the stretchers, which are veneered. These chairs have the clean, balanced lines characteristic of the Directoire style. Indeed, this style marks the transition between the austerity of Louis XVI and the more formal style of the Consulate. The joinery is mortise and tenon. Furthermore, turned supports extend the straight armrests, as was common at the end of the Directoire period. The legs are turned in a baluster shape and taper towards the bottom. A simple molding frames the rectangular backs. […]

Directoire Commode

February 14, 2024October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathmahogany, convenient, conservation, directory, walnut, Veneering - Marquetry

Restoration of a curious Directoire commode in solid walnut and walnut, mahogany, and maple veneer, featuring marquetry of a Medici vase and a Louis XIV-inspired ballet dancer, in brass on an ebony ground. The drawers have walnut bottoms with an ebony stringing surmounted by a quarter-round brass and wood molding, surrounded by a mahogany molding. The uprights are three-quarter-fluted columns terminating in toupie feet. The locks are in the shape of trefoils. A conservation project for this […]

Directoire cylinder desk

January 18, 2022October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathmahogany, cylinder desk, directory, stamp, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration

Restoration of a late 18th-century Directoire roll-top desk, veneered in mahogany burl on all four sides. It bears the mark CD or GD, which is unknown to me. Any information regarding it would be greatly appreciated! The piece is entirely constructed of oak, without a single piece of poplar, not even for the drawer pulls or panels. In the upper section, a cylinder reveals four small drawers surmounted by a niche. It also reveals a sliding writing surface and two side pull-outs, all lined with gilt leather tooled in small pieces. The […]

Barber shop Louis XVI/Directory

March 27, 2021October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathmahogany, barber, directory, Louis XVI, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration, French polish, 18th century

This elegant barber's cabinet in solid and veneered mahogany dates from the late 18th century. It rests on four tapered legs with casters and opens with three drawers in the front. Above, a niche with a blue Turquin marble top is framed by fluted columns. Next come two side drawers and a sliding marble top with a recessed base. Finally, this reveals a mirror that pivots on a rack and pinion mechanism, framed with ebony and brass stringing. Appearing during the reign of Louis XVI, the barber's cabinet is a piece of men's grooming furniture. Indeed, it holds the pitcher and […]

Table à la Tronchin

January 15, 2021October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathmahogany, conservation, directory, Veneering - Marquetry, restoration, furniture restoration, 19th century, 17th century

A little refresh for this lovely Tronchin-style table. Apart from a missing molding and a few small areas of missing veneer on the legs, nothing serious. A fresh coat of varnish was all it took to give it a new lease on life. But do you know where this type of table comes from, and what it was used for? This table owes its name to Théodore Tronchin (1709-1781), a Genevan physician. At the time, he published works on bone diseases caused by poor posture at the desk. He praised […]