Boulle Dubois Cartel
Restoration of a Louis XV period brown tortoiseshell Boulle Dubois cartel clock, the dial of which bears an engraving with the monogram of Louis XV.
Louis XV
Louis XV style bookcase
We have completed the restoration of this Louis XV style bookcase, from the Napoleon III period, stamped Léon Dromard. Its oak frame is veneered with violet wood. Moreover, its style is very reminiscent of the furniture of Pierre IV Migeon in the 18th century. But do you know what a bookcase is? It's a small, open storage unit, which appeared in the 18th century, designed to hold books and decorative objects. Appreciated for its lightness and elegance, it quickly became a staple in refined interiors. Then, in the 19th century, the taste for […]
Pair of Louis XV commodes
Here is the latest major restoration project undertaken by Raphaël, our apprentice. It involves a pair of Louis XV style commodes bearing an unknown stamp, CCS, which could be attributed to Charles Claude Saunier, an early work by the latter. Please find below the detailed account of the work carried out by Raphaël. Enjoy your reading. Restoration of a Pair of Louis XV Commodes This restoration project concerns two commodes with a slanted top, designed according to the aesthetic and technical principles of the Louis XV style. This style is characterized by its lines […]
Louis XV secretary desk, stamped MIGEON
Restoration of a secretary desk, commonly called a "drop-front secretary" or "cabinet secretary," bearing the MIGEON stamp. This piece is distinguished by its serpentine front, opening with a pivoting drop-front that reveals nine small, curved drawers. The inside of the drop-front is lined with leather. The "cabinet" itself opens with two doors. The entire front is veneered with four panels of kingwood veneer, obliquely cut into butterfly wings. Each compartment is decorated with a quatrefoil motif of butterfly wings, set within a […]
Louis XV Cartel
This is the first cartel clock restoration undertaken by Raphael, focusing on this Louis XV cartel clock in Boulle marquetry of brown tortoiseshell and brass. Restoring a cartel clock is a complex task requiring considerable time and meticulous attention to detail. The curved shapes make gluing delicate. Large sections of the brass elements generally need to be reattached. Condition report: This cartel clock presented widespread soiling, an oxidized and tarnished varnish, as well as several lifting and missing pieces in the brass and tortoiseshell marquetry. In addition, there were signs of detachment […]
Regency-style wardrobe stamped MIGEON
Restoration of a Regency-style cabinet, likely from the 1740s, stamped Pierre IV Migeon. It can also be used as a bookcase. Its frame is made of oak and softwood. It is entirely veneered with kingwood, rosewood on the top, and walnut on the interior. The doors feature butterfly-wing friezes. In contrast, the sides display a square pattern, typical of Migeon. A semi-circular brass molding borders the ogee cornice. Finally, brass fluting, ending in discs, adorns […]
Louis XV Cartel
We are continuing our series on cartel clocks, which began a few months ago. Here are some images of the restoration of this Louis XV cartel clock in brown tortoiseshell and brass marquetry on an oak frame. Condition report: The structure is in a state of significant deterioration, and re-gluing the joints appears necessary. All the marquetry is detached or shows signs of glue dehydration. Furthermore, the clock has been heavily sanded, which has resulted in the disappearance of all traces of engraving on the brass elements. […]
Louis XV commode by JB Fromageau
Restoration of a Louis XV commode stamped Jean-Baptiste Fromageau. Its frame is made of oak and softwood. It is inlaid with rosewood within violet wood borders. Curved at the front and flared at the sides, it opens with four drawers in three rows. Finally, a gray Sainte-Anne marble top crowns it. Jean-Baptiste Fromageau, son of a master cabinetmaker, was born around 1725. Admitted as a master on November 5, 1755, he first established himself on Rue Traversière, then on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine. Moreover, the Dauphin almanac lists his workshop among the most important in Paris. Cabinetmaker, […]
Louis XV secretary stamped C.Chevallier
Restoration of a Louis XV period drop-front secretary, also known as a cabinet, stamped by Charles Chevalier, with curved sides and a front without an intermediate rail. Constructed of oak and softwood, it is veneered with marquetry of maple, boxwood, blue-stained maple, holly, hornbeam, and barberry on a rosewood ground framed by violet wood. The drop-front opens with its original three-point lock, revealing a compartment containing seven shelves in four rows and four drawers. The whole contains […]
Louis XV commode stamped NA Lapie
Restoration of a Louis XV commode stamped Nicolas Alexandre Lapie, veneered in amaranth and satinwood. Its oak frame is of exceptionally high quality. However, the sides and drawer fronts are made of softwood. Finally, the top is a griotte marble from Campan. Nicolas Alexandre Lapie, son of Nicolas Lapie, a pottery merchant in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and brother of the master cabinetmaker Jean Lapie, Nicolas Alexandre (known as the Elder) appears to have been born around 1730. He registered his master's letters at the Châtelet in Paris on August 17, 1764. […]
Louis XV slant-front desk
Raphaël's first restoration project was this Louis XV period rosewood veneer slant-front secretary. It was a complete restoration involving numerous veneer grafts and a waxed, filled finish. A delicate job, as rosewood is unforgiving. The slightest misstep with the chisel, or excessive sanding, and its beautiful blond patina disappears, revealing the original dark color and causing unsightly stains. Therefore, there was no choice but to scrape and sand the newly sawn veneer and cut it to the correct thickness before gluing it […]
Louis XV desk stamped SAR
Restoration of a Louis XV desk stamped by Jean-Girard-Théodore SAR. It is a magnificent desk, of very high quality craftsmanship. Its legs, apron, and drawers are made of walnut. The top, however, is made of softwood. Finally, a beautiful Indian ebony covers the entire piece. Jean-Girard-Théodore SAR was born in 1724 and became a master craftsman on October 1, 1766. Established on Rue de Lappe, in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, he worked primarily for fellow craftsmen. Among them were Migeon from 1755, Coulon in 1774, and Dubuisson. In addition, he supplied […]
Louis XV desk
Restoration of a Louis XV desk veneered in rosewood and violet wood on an oak and softwood frame. Replacement of missing veneer, cleaning, and refinishing with a French polish. Cleaning and conservation of the leather. Removal and steam cleaning of the gilt bronze mounts. To see previous restorations: https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/
Louis XV cartel clock signed Lévêque in Paris
Restoration of a Louis XV period cartel clock signed LEVEQUE A PARIS with its original movement. The surprise: this cartel clock is made of mahogany. As curious as it may seem, the tool marks, the quality of the workmanship, and the wood appear entirely authentic. With its shape and rocaille bronze mounts typical of the Louis XV style, it would therefore date from the second half of the 18th century. It would thus be a precursor to the arrival of mahogany in French furniture. The restoration consisted of removing the bronze mounts and […]
Louis XV coffee table
Restoration of a mid-18th-century side table or writing table veneered in kingwood and rosewood for the chamfers. A minor restoration for everyday use. The most time-consuming part was reattaching approximately 90% small pieces of rosewood. To see previous restorations: https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/
Regency Cartel
Here are some images of the restoration of a Regency period cartel clock in brown tortoiseshell and brass marquetry on an oak frame. The movement is signed CLOUZIER A PARIS. Jacques Clouzier (1692-1754) was admitted as a master watchmaker by presentation of his masterpiece on July 5, 1692. He is among the greatest Parisian watchmakers of the Louis XIV and Regency periods. He became a member of the watchmakers' guild in the 1700s. He worked on Rue Saint-Antoine until 1726, then on Rue des Prêtres-Saint-Paul. Active until his death in 1754, he collaborated with the greatest cabinetmakers and bronze workers, such as […]
Roussel Stamped Chest of Drawers
Restoration of a Louis XV commode stamped by the Parisian cabinetmaker Pierre Roussel. It is constructed of oak, with conifer panels. It is veneered with rosewood arranged in a herringbone pattern, framed by violet wood. The stringing is boxwood. Pierre Roussel was the son of Michel Roussel, a journeyman cabinetmaker originally from the Cotentin peninsula. His younger brothers, Jacques, Michel, and Louis, chose joinery; he was the only one to opt for cabinetmaking. He obtained his master craftsman's certificate on August 21, 1745. He settled in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, […]
Louis XV Cartel
Restoration of a Louis XV period clock case and its corbel, in pure Rococo style. It is made of solid oak and veneered with brass and tortoiseshell. Do you know what Rococo style is? Rococo style belongs to the early period of the Louis XV style (1723-1750) and reached its peak around 1730. It is distinguished by its rich naturalistic decoration. It draws inspiration from artificial grottoes and reconstructed rocks in asymmetrical compositions. A late heir to the Baroque, this decoration is complemented by seashells, mineral elements, cascading foliage, […]
Louis XV/Transitional Commode
A true renaissance for this chest of drawers, which I call Louis XV/Transitional because its form and construction are entirely Louis XV. However, the handles and keyhole escutcheons are typically Louis XVI. And I can attest that these are indeed its original fittings. The nail holes match perfectly, and there are no other holes beneath the bronze mounts. So, even if this piece of furniture doesn't conform to what is commonly called the Transitional style, this chest of drawers is most certainly one of the first […]
Louis XV style desk
A major restoration was undertaken for this small Louis XV style desk, richly adorned with bronze mounts and veneered in rosewood. The restoration involved replacing the missing veneer while preserving as much of the remaining material as possible. This was achieved by using veneer that was sliced, scraped, sanded, oxidized, and varnished before being re-glued, thus avoiding the need to sand the piece before finishing. Rosewood is a very dark wood that lightens with age, developing a beautiful reddish patina that cannot be removed by any means.
Louis XV commode
This is a significant restoration project for this Louis XV commode, originally veneered in rosewood and violet wood. It took me some time to confirm that it was indeed violet wood. This commode has undergone so many restorations that it now contains almost as much rosewood as violet wood. Fortunately, the drawers are still in fairly good condition, and they are definitely violet wood. I therefore conclude that the commode was originally veneered with these two woods. [… ]
Hedouin commode with crowned C
Extensive restoration of this superb Louis XV period commode, stamped on all four uprights by Jean-Baptiste Hedouin. The frame and drawers are made of solid oak, fir, and walnut. It is veneered with satinwood for the frieze edges and features geometric marquetry in violet wood. Two types of violet wood are used: one with a very tight grain and veining for the lozenges, the other more intricate for the borders, uprights, and rails. The gray Ardennes marble is molded and shaped into the forms […]
Louis XV slant-front desk stamped HEDOUIN
Thanks to its stamp, this slant-front desk can be dated between 1738 and 1783. Jean-Baptiste Hédouin's life remains relatively unknown. After completing his master craftsmanship, he set up his workshop on Rue Traversière-Saint-Antoine. All his furniture is of high quality. Primarily in the Regency and Louis XV styles, almost all veneered in sheets or with grid patterns, they are also quite varied: wardrobes, flat and slant-front desks, bookcases… But chests of drawers make up the largest part of his production. Most of them adopt the […]
