directory

Directoire armchairs

Mathieu Vathmahogany, Solid Wood, directory, Armchair, furniture restoration, 18th century
Ebénisterie Mathieu Vath

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. […]

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Directoire Commode

Mathieu Vathmahogany, convenient, conservation, directory, walnut, Veneering - Marquetry
Ebénisterie Mathieu Vath

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 […]

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Directoire cylinder desk

Mathieu Vathmahogany, cylinder desk, directory, stamp, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration
Ebénisterie Mathieu Vath

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 […]

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