Bonheur du jour Empire stamped by Antoine-Nicolas Lesage
Restoration of an Empire bonheur du jour in mahogany veneer, stamped Antoine-Nicolas Lesage: top reattached, veneer missing, gilt bronzes cleaned and shellac finish redone.
French polish
Louis XVI secretary stamped Schlichtig
This Louis XVI style secretary desk bears the stamp of JG Schlichtig. It combines rosewood, satinwood (on the sides), and amaranth veneers on an oak and softwood frame. It opens with two lower doors, a central drop-front, and a top drawer. The interior includes six drawers and three niches. At 1.20 meters long, it is a lady's secretary desk. Jean-Georges Schlichtig († February 1782) was a Parisian cabinetmaker of German origin, admitted as a master on October 2, 1765. He initially established himself […]
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 […]
Louis XVI psyche mirror Weisweiler
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 […]
Transition secretary desk in the style of Montigny
Restoration of a 19th-century Transition-style drop-front secretary, veneered in rosewood and amaranth on an oak frame. This secretary is a learned interpretation of Parisian models from 1765-1775. It is directly inspired by the famous secretary attributed to the cabinetmaker Philippe-Claude Montigny, now in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The similarity to the museum model is striking: it is evident in the architectural design of the piece, in the treatment of the stepped legs, and in the use of bronze ornamentation inspired by the Greek style. […]
Boulle Napoleon III liquor cabinet
Restoration of a Napoleon III liquor cabinet in tortoiseshell and brass marquetry. The liquor cabinet, an elegant and ingenious piece of furniture, appeared at the end of the 18th century. Initially designed for long carriage journeys, it allowed for the easy transport and serving of liqueurs. Its true rise in popularity, however, occurred in the 19th century. It then became a symbol of refinement and the French art of living. This piece of furniture takes the form of a box, called a "caisson," whose walls […]
Rochelaise table in rosewood and ebony
Restoration of a Louis XV salon table, made in La Rochelle in the mid-18th century. This piece is distinguished by its parquet top, alternating rosewood and ebony. It opens with a drawer integrated into the front apron, whose shaped moldings and cabriole legs with octagonal sides testify to exceptional craftsmanship. The table is made exclusively of solid rosewood for the base, the parquet top, and the drawer boxes, while solid ebony is used for the […]
Regency chest of drawers with crossbow
Conservation work on this Regency period commode. It is distinguished by its serpentine shape and its rosewood veneer, adorned with gilt bronze mounts, on an oak and softwood frame. Our first task was to stabilize the veneered surfaces by injecting protein-based adhesive. Next, the gaps were filled with grafts of new rosewood, sawn, scraped, and sanded. These grafts, then French polished, were allowed to oxidize naturally under UV light. Finally, we prepared them to the correct thickness on the backing and then glued them in place with hot glue. […]
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 XIV low bookcase
Restoration of a low Louis XIV style bookcase, crafted in Boulle marquetry of brown tortoiseshell and brass, ebony, and chiseled and gilded bronze ornamentation. Its centrally projecting front opens with three glazed doors featuring scroll and foliage motifs. It rests on tapered legs. This type of three-part low cabinet was one of Boulle's greatest successes, and he himself produced several variations. The Louvre Museum, for example, possesses no fewer than six examples. Indeed, these […]
Louis XVI commode stamped JL Cosson
This Louis XVI period half-moon commode is stamped by the cabinetmaker Jacques Laurent Cosson. It belongs to a production probably dating from 1780 to 1790. It is an exceptional example of painted furniture from the end of the Ancien Régime. It belongs to a very small group, of which only seven examples are currently known. Highly sought-after 18th-century French painted furniture represents one of the most inventive areas of Parisian cabinetmaking on the eve of the Revolution. This commode, with its curved, half-moon shape, rests on four tapered legs […]
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 XIV style commode – Grenoble, first third of the 18th century
Restoration of a Louis XIV Dauphiné commode, veneered in geometric Alpine wood. With a bombé front, it opens with three drawers in three rows. Moreover, its proportions and construction are those of a full-size commode (dovetail joints, intermediate shelves, etc.). The cabinetmaker has masterfully played with contrasts by juxtaposing different wood species. The quality and variety of the woods used in this small piece of furniture are noteworthy. First, olive and olive burl. Then walnut and rosewood for the framing bands, highlighted with double fillets of […]
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 […]
Empire Table
The restoration of this Empire dining table is now complete. The work focused primarily on the finishing touches. We removed the previously applied polyurethane varnish and applied a French polish to the solid mahogany top and its four-legged base decorated with swan neck motifs and lion's paw feet. The apron features an oak frieze. Length x Width = 162 x 140 cm. Length x Width with extensions = 252 cm.
Louis XVI chest of drawers by Jean-Francois Leleu
Restoration of a Louis XVI period commode with a central projection, stamped JF LELEU. Entirely constructed of oak, it is veneered with amaranth, rosewood, boxwood, stained maple burl, and tobacco-grey maple. A frieze of posts adorns the top drawer. On the projection, Greek key patterns and fleurons are set within a mosaic of hexagons, known as "marquetry à la reine." It has three drawers, two of which conceal drawers with crossbars. Furthermore, its front uprights have canted corners and simulated fluting. Finally, its feet are made of […]
Louis XVI powder compact stamped Jacob
Restoration of a powder table, or dressing table, from the last quarter of the 18th century, stamped G.JACOB and JME. It opens with two drawers in the frieze. On the top, a white Carrara marble slab is surrounded by an openwork brass gallery. It rests on four tapered legs of solid mahogany, ending in casters. Finally, the solid oak stretchers are veneered with mahogany. Georges Jacob (1739-1814) Georges Jacob was born on July 6, 1739, in Cheny, Yonne, into a family of farmers. At a very young age, he left for Paris. There he […]
Empire Desk
Restoration of an Empire period desk, veneered in mahogany burl on an oak frame. Its four "chimera thigh" legs are connected by stretchers. They terminate in lion's paw feet. The Empire style emerged at the beginning of the 19th century, under Napoleon I. Indeed, the Emperor desired a new, grandiose aesthetic, befitting his power. Heir to Neoclassicism, this style drew inspiration from Greek, Roman, and Egyptian antiquity. The excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum inspired it, as did the Egyptian campaign. This […]
Regency commode with bridge "with dragons"«
Restoration of a Regency period commode, topped with a 30 mm thick Rance marble slab, molded with a corbelled edge. Curved in plan and elevation, both on the front and sides, it is veneered with snakewood and satinwood. It has four drawers (giving the appearance of six), in three rows. Its voluminous feet evoke the clawed paws of a dragon. It is adorned with brass fluting and chased and gilded bronze mounts: chased waterleaf frames framing the drawers, thick drop handles with shell motifs, wide plates with […]
8-foot Boulle desk
Here is a restoration carried out earlier this year by Raphaël. It was a long but successful undertaking. In fact, I recently revisited this desk: it has perfectly withstood significant variations in temperature and humidity. The rest of this report is in Raphaël's own handwriting. A "Mazarin" Desk This desk dates from the Louis XIV period. It is covered with Boulle marquetry of brass on a red tortoiseshell ground. Eight console legs support the case; they are connected in groups of four by an X-shaped stretcher. On the front, […]
Regency Cartel
The restoration of five Boulle marquetry clocks, begun a few months ago, is now complete. Here is a Regency clock and its console, inlaid with tortoiseshell and brass on an oak frame. Measuring Time: Since time immemorial, humankind has sought to measure time. First came the gnomon, a simple stick planted in the ground, the ancestor of the sundial. Then came the clepsydra, where water flows, and later the hourglass, based on the same principle. Through these methods, people organized their social, religious, and […]
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. […]
Art Deco Desk
Restoration complete for this desk veneered in Macassar ebony (Diospyros celebica). Native to Indonesia, it is also known as golden ebony or Coromandel wood. Long used in construction in Japan, this tree can reach forty meters in height. Its name comes from the port of Makassar, from where the logs were exported.
English Cabinet
Restoration of an English cabinet from the late 17th or early 18th century, veneered in walnut and maple. It features the distinctive free-flowing arabesque marquetry known as seaweed marquetry because it evokes the seaweed found on the seabed. Seaweed marquetry is traditionally associated with Dutch and Flemish cabinetmakers of the second half of the 17th century, particularly Gerrit Jensen. Indeed, in 1689, William III of Orange ascended the English throne with his cabinetmakers. Later, religious persecutions on the continent brought others to England. […]
Regency tabletop sign
Restoration of a Boulle marquetry wall clock in brown tortoiseshell and brass, adorned with chased and gilded bronze mounts. It features a monumental rooster (royal emblem), a central mascaron with a satyr's head, caryatids, and two doves beneath a draped dome. The movement bears the signature GRIBELIN. Nicolas Gribelin, son of Abraham Gribelin, Valet de Chambre-Clockmaker to the King, was born in Blois on November 27, 1637. At the end of the 17th century, he was among the most renowned clockmakers of his time.
Regency Cartel
Minor restoration/conservation work was carried out on this lovely Regency clock signed by the Dumont brothers in Besançon. Some minor repairs and replacements of missing brass and flakes were performed before the shellac finish was applied. The bronze mounts were removed and steam cleaned before being reattached.
Regency chest of drawers
Restoration of a bombé commode, veneered in satinwood with double boxwood stringing within amaranth borders. The frame is fir and the drawer units are walnut. It opens with four drawers in three rows. Its finely chased bronze mounts are silvered, not gilded as is customary. The uprights are veneered with a facsimile of brass fluting. The sides, decorated with a lozenge inscribed within a rectangle, echo the decorative motif of the front veneer. It is topped with a green Campan marble slab […]
Louis XIV double-bodied display case
Restoration of a Louis XIV period two-part display cabinet veneered in cedar, ferreol, and cherry, with moldings of blackened fruitwood. With its flat front and sides, it opens at the bottom with two doors. At the top, however, two grilled doors open beneath a straight cornice. Finally, the whole rests on ball feet. This type of marquetry is also found on furniture from the second half of the 17th century. Condition report: This piece of furniture presented numerous alterations. First, on the frame side, the nailed back panels ensured squareness and the […]
Regency corner
Restoration of a Regency period corner cabinet veneered in Rio rosewood on a softwood frame. The piece had little damage apart from missing fluting and mahogany grafts on the top and bottom rails. The work therefore consisted of replacing the mahogany grafts with rosewood veneer that was sawn, scraped, and sanded before being glued with hot glue. The brass fluting was recreated and adjusted to fit perfectly into its original positions. A French polish finish was applied […]
Small Antwerp cabinet in ebony and tortoiseshell
Restoration of a cabinet opening with nine drawers with turned ivory knobs, arranged in five rows: six small drawers in the upper rows, one small central drawer, and two wide drawers in the lower section, each simulating two drawers. The cabinet is set into a base which itself opens with a wide drawer in the frieze. This base rests on four faceted legs, connected by a flat, frame-like stretcher and punctuated with ball feet. This octagonal foot, characteristic of Antwerp furniture, allows us to date this cabinet to around 1660, at the […]
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, […]
Empire Inkwell
Restoration of a rectangular inkwell from the late Empire period. It is surmounted by a central dish with a lid pierced by palmettes and handles in the form of flowering tassels. Two winged putti, with quivers on their backs and volute tails, support this dish. On either side, two inkwells with trellis motifs have pierced lids topped with acorn finials. The body contains a niche for the quill. In the center of the frieze, a mask of Apollo from which stylized foliate scrolls emerge. The whole rests on a molded plinth and feet in […]
Regency style pedestal desk
Restoration of a desk veneered on all sides with yew burl and amaranth, decorated with geometric boxwood stringing. It opens with five drawers in the front and five simulated drawers in the back. Furthermore, the two lower drawers follow the contour of the edge and slide at a 45-degree angle. In addition, a bronze molding encircles the amaranth-veneered top. The desk rests on four cabriole legs, terminating in curious acanthus leaf bronzes. Finally, the frame is entirely oak, except for the drawers, which are walnut, with […]
Regency-style chest of drawers stamped by Michel Mallerot
Restoration of a commode from the first half of the 18th century, curved in height and bombé in plan. It opens with four drawers in three rows. Known as a tomb-shaped or Regency commode, it belongs to a much smaller group: that of commodes with a bridge and mustache-shaped finials. Its frame is typical of the Regency period. The uprights are made of oak, and the rest is primarily a high-quality softwood. The drawers, fitted with mortise and tenon joints, are made of walnut. The veneer uses only two types of wood, […]
Louis XVI Weekly Planner
Restoration of a Louis XVI chest of drawers veneered in rosewood, satinwood, and amaranth. It opens with a series of seven drawers framed by rounded uprights with simulated fluting made of boxwood and blackened pearwood. A chest of drawers? The chest of drawers appeared in the mid-18th century. It was primarily intended for women. It is a chiffonier (which appeared during the Regency period, between 1715 and 1723) with seven drawers, one for each day of the week, for storing the day's undergarments. The restoration: This piece of furniture showed little […]
Louis XVI commode stamped J. LAPIE
Lise restored this Louis XVI commode, stamped by Jean Lapie, during her internship at the workshop. The piece is constructed of oak, fir, and beech, veneered with rosewood with hornbeam and amaranth stringing, and adorned with gilt bronze mounts. And since Lise submitted an excellent internship report, I'm publishing it almost in its entirety. Jean Lapie (known as "The Younger"), son of the potter Nicolas Lapie, was born around 1734. Brother of the cabinetmaker Nicolas-Alexandre Lapie (known as "The Elder") and cousin of Jean-François Lapie, […]
Louis XVI wardrobe
Restoration by Raphaël of a rosewood veneered cabinet with diamond-pointed doors, framed in amaranth and Greek key stringing. It opens with two large softwood doors veneered with oak. Some regluing and repairs of missing veneer, along with a good coat of clear French polish, have restored this piece of furniture to its former glory.
Regency commode in sarcophagus form
Minor restoration was required for this Regency commode, known as a "sarcophagus commode." Indeed, a few veneer repairs and a refinishing of the varnish were enough to restore its former glory. The sarcophagus commode? The first commodes were designed by André-Charles Boulle. Then, a few years later, during the Regency period, commodes with curved sides and tops appeared. Throughout the 18th century, they were known as "Regency-style" commodes. Similarly, it wasn't until 1720 that commodes with two rows of drawers reappeared.
Regency tabletop sign
Restoration of a Regency mantel clock in brown tortoiseshell and brass marquetry on an oak frame. Without its bronze mounts, this type of furniture loses its splendor. When it is restored to its original fittings, its symbols take on their full meaning, as its function is to tell the time. The Fame on the escapement and the eagle on the door are perfect examples. Originally, Fame was a Greek goddess who personified public reputation. The Greeks called her Pheme (Φήμη), the Romans Fama. Daughter of Gaia, this […]
Louis XVI console table stamped Louis Noël Malle
Restoration of a Louis XVI console table stamped by Louis-Noël Malle, with solid mahogany legs and mottled mahogany veneer on an oak frame. Louis-Noël Malle, born in 1734, became a master craftsman on November 18, 1765. With his wife, Marie-France Le Maître, he established his shop and workshop on the Grande-Rue-du-Faubourg-Saint-Antoine. He is recognized as one of the greatest marquetry craftsmen of his time. The 1771 and 1772 editions of the Almanach Général des Marchands mention him, misspelling his name as "Le Mille." His "works related to […]" are particularly praised.
Regency style commode stamped Hédouin
Here is the latest restoration by Raphaël, my apprentice. This commode has all the attributes of a Regency commode. Yet, Hédouin could only have made it well after this period (around 1715-1723). Indeed, he obtained his master craftsman's certificate in 1738, right in the middle of the Louis XV era. It is therefore more accurately described as a commode "in the Regency style," as cabinetmakers of the time called it. Moreover, its frame is entirely oak, except for the back panels, and its veneer combines amaranth and satinwood. Jean-Baptiste HEDOUIN The life of Jean-Baptiste Hédouin remains […]
Happiness of the day by Guillaume Cordié
Minor maintenance restoration for this Transition-style bonheur-du-jour, veneered in rosewood. It also bears the stamp of Guillaume Cordié, the master of this type of desk. The work remained simple. First, we reattached a few veneer patches. Then, we addressed the oxidation and performed color restoration. Finally, we reapplied the French polish. Guillaume Cordié, born around 1733, initially worked as a freelance craftsman. He then obtained his master's certificate on June 18, 1766. He then established himself on the rue de Charonne, where he remained until […]
Regency commode with faun and lion masks
Restoration is complete for this important and rare Regency period commode, known as a "tomb-shaped" commode, a "Regency-style" commode, or a "moustache" commode. Curved on all sides, it features four drawers in three rows. It is topped with Vieux Rance marble from Belgium. It's worth noting that at the beginning of the 18th century, Rance was a French village. Molded in a corbel shape, the marble follows its contours. Veneered entirely in kingwood, this wide commode is enlivened by its powerful curves. Furthermore, brass fluting adorns the front and sides. Most notably, it bears […]
Regency Cartel signed Clément Fiacre Paris
Restoration of a cartel clock in red tortoiseshell and brass marquetry. The movement is stamped by Clément Fiacre in Paris. Clément Fiacre, one of the most important clockmakers of his time, received his master's certificate on January 16, 1714. He settled in Paris and quickly gained renown. Established on Rue Saint-Denis around the mid-1740s, he created his work in the Regency style, where wood was richly worked, notably through tortoiseshell and brass marquetry. He also produced veneers in rosewood, amaranth, and other woods.
Transitional dresser
Restoration of a Transitional style chest of drawers veneered in rosewood and amaranth, with a green-stained Greek key pattern, on an oak frame. Congratulations to Lisa for this first restoration during her internship at the workshop! The work focused primarily on the front rails. First, Lisa replaced the missing amaranth veneer with sawn, scraped, and sanded veneer. Then she applied it to the correct thickness on the back face before gluing it with hot glue. Next, Labovert's GAMMA polar solvent allowed […]
VASSOU stamped chest of drawers
Restoration of a Louis XVI period chiffonier table, stamped by Jean-Baptiste VASSOU (1739-1807). It is made of solid mahogany and mahogany veneer, on oak and softwood frames. It is, moreover, a very finely crafted piece of furniture, with beautiful veneer and a lovely blue Turquin marble top. What exactly is a chiffonier table? The first mention of a "chiffonniere table" appears in 1755 in the journal of the haberdasher Lazare Duvaux (1703-1758). In 1763, the post-mortem inventory of Jean-François Oeben mentions a "frame of a chiffonier table […]
Small Louis XV style commode
Here is the latest restoration by Raphaël, my apprentice. It's a Louis XV period commode. It's veneered in rosewood and violet wood, on a frame of oak and softwood. Condition report: This was an ideal project for tackling the restoration of the structure and veneer. Indeed, almost all the panels were detached and too short. Furthermore, the joints were loose. In addition, both sides had separated from the uprights and were split in the middle. Finally, of course, the […]
Regency Cartel
Restoration of a Regency clock case in Boulle marquetry on a brown tortoiseshell background. Since Antiquity, humankind has sought to master time and create a "timekeeper." Egyptian obelisks, water clocks, sundials, hourglasses. But it was in the 15th century that the first mechanical weight-driven clocks were made, with a single hand, but generally equipped with striking mechanisms. In the 16th century, the two-hour day, instead of 24, was adopted almost everywhere. Each city, however, retained its own meridian time until the advent of railways and […]
Transition sauté pan with Boudin stamp
Restoration of a Transition period commode stamped by the master cabinetmaker Léonard Boudin (1735 in Paris – 20/12/1807). Constructed of solid oak, it is veneered with amaranth, rosewood, and tobacco-stained maple. Its marquetry of boxwood, hornbeam, and holly forms panels on the front and sides with motifs of flowering vases and covered pots. The front features a slight central projection and opens with two drawers without a central divider. Its rounded uprights rest on cabriole legs. Boudin also produced numerous Transition period commodes […]
Louis XV cartel clock with crowned C
Restoration of a Louis XV cartel clock in tortoiseshell and brass marquetry. Its movement is signed Charles Voisin (1686-1760), master clockmaker in 1710. A distinctive feature of this clock is that its bronze mounts bear the mark of a crowned C. The crowned C: An edict of 1745 required bronze workers to mark their pieces with a small, distinctive letter: a C surmounted by a crown. They were thus required to pay a tax. This tax applied to both objects and furniture adorned with bronze. This mark therefore proves the payment of a tax on bronzes and […]
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 […]
Regency commode with crowned R
Restoration of a Regency commode, probably from southeastern France, on a softwood frame. Its veneer combines yew, plum, rosewood, walnut, cherry, amaranth, violet wood, boxwood, and green-stained maple. Besides its highly unusual marquetry decoration, this commode is also distinguished by its crowned R bronze mounts. The crowned R hallmark should not be confused with the crowned C hallmark. The latter corresponds to a tax levied from 1745 to 1749 on objects made of […]
Cordié Transition-branded chest of drawers
Restoration of a Transition period chiffonier, stamped by Guillaume Cordié and bearing the guild mark. It is veneered in rosewood and amaranth, on a frame of oak and softwood. However, its bronze fittings were added later. Guillaume Cordié, born around 1725, initially worked as a freelance craftsman before obtaining his master's certificate on June 18, 1766. He then established himself on the rue de Charonne, where he remained until his death. His works, of fine quality and harmonious proportions, are primarily in the Transition style […]
Directoire Commode
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 […]
Transition work table
Restoration of a work table with cabriole legs and a stretcher in marquetry of trellis and quatrefoils, known as "à la Reine," veneered in rosewood, inlaid with boxwood, green-stained hornbeam, and boxwood stringing on an oak frame. It opens in the frieze with a drawer forming a writing surface with a leather-lined drop-front and compartments on the sides. The Escallettes marble top is bordered by an openwork brass gallery similar to the one that frames the kidney-shaped stretcher. A minor restoration including some veneer repairs and […]
Transitional chest of drawers stamped SAUNIER
Restoration of a Transition-style two-door commode, inlaid with bottomless cube marquetry. Its frame combines oak for the uprights and rails, softwood for the side panels, and walnut for the two doors. The bottomless cubes themselves blend rosewood, violet wood, and tobacco-stained maple. Furthermore, a green-stained maple and boxwood inset borders the entire piece. In addition, the uprights and door frames are veneered with violet wood and rosewood. The […]
Transition chest of drawers stamped Fromageau
Restoration of a Transition-style commode, known as a "Greek-style" commode, stamped by Jean-Baptiste Fromageau. It is rosewood veneered, with an amaranth frieze and faux fluting. Topped with a Royal red marble slab, it opens with three drawers. The first, narrower drawer features a frieze of glyphs. The two following drawers, however, are inlaid with Greek key patterns at the corners in violet wood. The bronze mounts include ring handles, keyhole escutcheons with knotted ribbons, and a tailpiece with droplets. It also features […]
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. […]
Regency chest of drawers with Spanish-style drawers
Restoration of a Regency period serpentine commode, known as a "spanielette" commode. Curved on all sides, it is veneered in violet wood over a walnut frame. It opens with four drawers in three rows. A Belgian griotte red marble top, with ears and a corbel edge, crowns it. Like the front rails, its pinched uprights feature brass fluting. Its high-quality bronze mounts are superbly chased. Indeed, it features very rare espagnolettes, seen on only six commodes. Four […]
Louis XVI secretary stamped TOPINO
Restoration of a Louis XVI secretary desk stamped by Charles Topino. Its form is typical of Topino, and its frame is made of oak and softwood. The front opens with a drawer and a drop-front covered in red leather and tooled in gold. Behind the drop-front, two compartments and four drawers veneered in rosewood are revealed. Below, two marquetry doors depicting vases and draperies on a tobacco ground conceal a shelf. The drop-front itself features musical instruments, ribbons, and foliage, also on a tobacco ground. Around this, […]
Transition chest of drawers stamped LEGRY
Restoration of a transitional commode stamped by Jean-Louis-François Legry. Its frame is made of oak and softwood. It is veneered with amaranth, rosewood, and satinwood on the sides, with ebony and boxwood stringing. This commode exemplifies the very end of the transition between the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. The legs remain the only vestige of the Louis XV curves; they would soon give way to the straight legs of the Louis XVI style. Jean-Louis-François Legry, born in 1745, obtained his master's degree in Paris on […]
Transitional cylinder secretary, stamped SCHLICHTIG
Restoration of a Transition period cylinder desk, stamped Jean-Georges Schlichtig. The legs and stretchers are oak. However, the panels and drop-front are softwood. It is rosewood veneered, with marquetry of bottomless cubes in rosewood and tobacco-stained sycamore. Furthermore, the Greek key stringing combines hornbeam and holly. The back and interior drawers are veneered in satinwood. Finally, this model is common in the work of this cabinetmaker, who produced several variations with bottomless cubes. The […]
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/
Transitional chest of drawers stamped J.STUMPFF
Here are some images of the restoration of this commode stamped by Jean-Chrysostôme Stumpff (1731 – January 17, 1806 – received as a master craftsman on August 27, 1766). Its frame combines oak and softwood. Furthermore, it is veneered with rosewood in a butterfly wing pattern and amaranth, with stringing of boxwood and green-stained maple. J. Stumpff, originally from Schweigern, Swabia (Germany), married in 1760 in Paris, at the Swedish embassy, like most of his Protestant compatriots. In fact, his witness was his colleague […]
Regency commode by François LIEUTAUD
Restoration of a Regency period commode in alternating rosewood and walnut, inlaid with friezes and fillets. Its slightly curved front opens with three wide drawers. A brass molding encircles the top, which features a geometric design of circles around a central polylobed motif adorned with figures. Polished brass fluting embellishes the uprights and rails. The sides are veneered with walnut in a diamond pattern. Finally, the tapered feet terminate in claw feet. The commode also features large, chased and gilded bronze mounts.
Regency chest of drawers stamped ID
Restoration of a Regency commode, veneered in rosewood on a conifer frame. It was only after three weeks of work that I noticed a strange mark. It had been right in front of me from the start, and I hadn't seen it. It is indeed quite rare to see a stamped Regency commode. But yes, the mark was definitely there. And it's not a modest one: this ID stamp is attributed to Jacques Denizot. Jacques Denizot (1684–1760) was a Parisian cabinetmaker who remains relatively unknown. […]
Transition chest of drawers stamped Etienne AVRIL
Restoration of a Transition-style commode stamped three times E.AVRIL. It is veneered with amaranth, rosewood, and satinwood. In addition, it is adorned with green-tinted stringing. Finally, its frame is made of oak and softwood. Etienne Avril (1748-1791) Étienne Avril, known as Avril the Elder to distinguish him from his brother Pierre, became a master cabinetmaker on November 23, 1774. Dying young in 1791, he thus witnessed the agony of the Ancien Régime and the end of the guilds. Born in 1748, the son of a cab driver, nothing, however, destined him for cabinetmaking. […]
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 […]
Art Deco games table and pedestal table
Restoration of a 1930s pedestal table and games table veneered in Macassar ebony and maple. A few veneer grafts and a touch-up of the French polish finish were all it took to restore the luster to this beautiful set. Did you know: Macassar ebony (Dyospyros celebica) is a tree endemic to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Macassar ebony is also called golden ebony or Coromandel. It is also found in Malaysia, where it is known as Kajol marte. It belongs to the Ebenaceae family. It takes its name from the main port […]
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/
Louis XV commode
Restoration of a Louis XV period commode veneered in rosewood and violet wood. The commode, also known as the commode sauteuse, appeared during the Regency period, between 1705 and 1730, and is attributed to the cabinetmaker Charles Cressent. It consists of two drawers or two rows of drawers. The body is raised on half-height supports, with the body occupying half the height of the piece and the other half the legs. Intended to distinguish itself from the heavy and massive Louis XIV style, it is slender and graceful, almost ethereal. After restoration […]
Transitional chest of drawers stamped Léonard Boudin
Restoration of a Transition period commode stamped by the master cabinetmaker Léonard Boudin (1735 in Paris – 20/12/1807). It is constructed of solid oak and veneered with amaranth, rosewood, and ribbon satinwood (Brosimum rubescens). This South American wood owes its highly decorative appearance to the pronounced interlocked grain of its quarter-sawn construction. It belongs to the same family as snakewood (Brosimum guianense). Boudin was primarily a merchant during the Transition period. It is therefore likely that this commode is by the hand of André Louis Gilbert (1746-1809), when he was not yet […]
Louis XV writing table
Restoration of a Louis XV period drawing table, or more precisely, a writing table. It is veneered in rosewood and kingwood, with satinwood on the back. Born from the passion for correspondence in the 18th century, fashionable merchants displayed all their ingenuity. They created numerous models of utilitarian tables, designed to be placed in the center of a room. These differed from ordinary tables: they generally included a writing surface and drawers for ink and quills. The term […]
Louis XIV commode from the Dauphiné region
Restoration of a Louis XIV period commode in olive burl, rosewood, and boxwood, likely from the Dauphiné region. Along with Mazarine commodes, this type of D-shaped commode is among the very first commodes produced during the reign of Louis XIV. Indeed, the first French furniture resembling the commode only appeared around 1700. Thus, the oldest known Parisian commodes are those delivered by André-Charles Boulle to Versailles around 1708. Their very simple decorations are inspired by Dutch models. They are, moreover, often the work of Protestant cabinetmakers, who favored native woods according to the precepts of […]
Regency commode stamped by Michel Mallerot
Restoration of a commode stamped Michel Mallerot. With its serpentine front, it is entirely veneered in kingwood. Its frame is made of fir. As for the drawers, their sides are beech and their bottoms are walnut. You don't know Michel Mallerot? That's understandable! Indeed, Michel Mallerot (1675-1753) remains little known, like many Parisian cabinetmakers of the early 18th century. He was identified thanks to a pencil inscription, "M. Mallerot," on a Regency commode bearing this abbreviated stamp (formerly in the Philippe Glédel collection). The […]
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 […]
Regency chest of drawers
To start the year, here are some photos of the restoration of this Regency commode. Made entirely of softwood, it is veneered with kingwood. Its uprights and rails are adorned with brass fluting. The bronze handles, influenced by Asia and the East India Company trade, are commonly referred to as "Chinese." The keyhole escutcheons, meanwhile, herald the arrival of the Louis XV style in the first half of the 18th century. Upon its arrival, in addition to some missing and peeling veneer, the commode presented a problem […]
Louis XIV commode
Restoration of a Louis XIV commode constructed of fir and Rio rosewood veneer. The front is slightly convex, as are the uprights and rails. It features brass fluting. The remarkably crafted varnished bronze mounts have retained their original varnish. The restoration consisted of rehydrating all veneered surfaces by infiltrating glue. Missing areas were filled with rosewood veneers that were sawn, scraped, sanded, cut to the correct thickness as a backing, and UV-oxidized before being glued with hot glue. As you can see on […]
Louis XVI writing table
Restoration of a writing table built in oak, with a solid mahogany top and mahogany burl veneer. It features a large drawer in the frieze and rests on four tapered legs ending in gilt bronze sabots. Typical work of the late 18th century. To see previous restorations: https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/ This piece can be found at Antiquités Stéphane Guin.
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 XVI secretary stamped Montigny
A little restoration for this Louis XV period secretary desk stamped by Philippe-Claude Montigny. It is constructed of oak and softwood, and veneered with rosewood, amaranth, and boxwood. It consists of a top drawer, a drop-front, and two doors. The interior compartments contain six drawers. Philippe Claude Montigny (1734-1800) became a master craftsman on January 29, 1766. Son of Louis Montigny, a privileged craftsman of the King, he owned a workshop in the Contrescarpe district of Paris. He was also the brother-in-law of Fidelis Schey, a cabinetmaker […]
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 […]
Somno Empire
Restoration of an Empire-period somno, veneered in mahogany burl. You might be wondering what a somno is? The somno, or somneau, appeared during the Consulate, at the beginning of the Napoleonic era. It is a small, table-shaped piece of furniture, cylindrical or square. Its closed section serves as storage. It is therefore placed in the bedroom, often near the bed, as a nightstand. Finally, it was during the Empire that it acquired the name "somno," from the Latin somnus, meaning sleep. The somno under the Empire. Under the First Empire, the somno […]
Louis XVI cooler
Restoration of a refreshment table. Its legs are solid mahogany, the rest is mahogany burl veneer, with brass quarter-round moldings. The refreshment table. The 18th century was the century of thought, philosophy, and intimacy. A fashion emerged among the wealthier classes: intimate dinners or suppers, without household staff. Whether for romantic trysts or to plan the impending French Revolution, prying ears were not to be missed. This trend influenced […]
Empire Chest of Drawers
Restoration of a mahogany burl veneer commode with three drawers. Its straight uprights form Corinthian pilasters. The front feet are claw feet, while the rear feet feature three decreasing balls, known as a rosary. It is topped with a black Belgian granite slab. Finally, it has retained all its original gilt bronze mounts, as well as its trefoil locks and key. The gilt bronze mounts feature Corinthian capitals with projecting bird heads, palmettes, acanthus leaves, flowers, and scrolls. They also play on […]
Louis XVI commode
Restoration of a Louis XVI period provincial commode. It is constructed of softwood and oak, and veneered with violet wood, rosewood, sycamore maple, boxwood, ebony, and stained maple. At its center, a bucolic scene depicts two women playing cards between two trees, watched by a man. In the background, a house and a church are visible. The entire scene is framed by a medallion of flowers engraved and colored with black and red wax. The two lower drawers are framed by a frieze depicting a […]
Coffee table stamped P.GARNIER JME
Restoration of a Transition period (1750-1774) salon table, veneered in satinwood and stamped by Pierre Garnier (circa 1726-1800). Originally from Paris, the son of master cabinetmaker François Garnier, Pierre Garnier obtained his master's certificate on December 31, 1742. Unlike his father, he left the Faubourg Saint-Antoine for the Rue Neuve-des-Petits-Champs, near the Place Vendôme. His clientele included merchants such as Léonard Boudin and Pierre Migeon, but above all, the wealthiest members of the kingdom. He thus fulfilled numerous commissions for Louis Georges Érasme, Marshal of France, and the Duchess of […]
P.ROUSSEL Games Table
Restoration of a Louis XV period marquetry game table (or backgammon table) with dice (or cubes) veneered in amaranth, rosewood, violet wood, palisander, ebony, and ivory. This table is stamped by the Parisian cabinetmaker Pierre Roussel (September 28, 1723 – June 7, 1782). Pierre Roussel was the son of Michel Roussel, a journeyman cabinetmaker from the Cotentin peninsula. His younger brothers, Jacques, Michel, and Louis, chose carpentry; he alone opted for cabinetmaking. He became a master on August 21, 1745. He then set up shop in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, on rue […]
Regency Cartel
Restoration of a large cartel clock (137 cm high) and its bracketed base, from the Regency period. Made of solid oak, it is veneered with Boulle marquetry of brown tortoiseshell and brass. It is further adorned with floral garlands, crosshatching, and foliage. Its chased and gilded bronze dial features interlacing patterns and birds. The Roman numerals are enameled, and a reserve bears the signature St Martin à Paris. The clock plate also bears the same name. Finally, on the capital, chased and gilded bronzes depict […]
Louis XV cartel clock with crowned C
Here are some images of the restoration of a clock case that some may have glimpsed during the work at the Mans'Art fair this year. Dating from the Louis XV period, it is inlaid with tortoiseshell and brass on an oak frame. The bronze pieces bear the hallmark of the Crowned C. The Crowned C is a reference to an edict of 1745 that required bronze workers to mark their pieces with a small distinctive letter, a C surmounted by a crown, thus subjecting them to a tax. This tax applied to both objects and furniture that […]
Louis XVI games table
Restoration of a late 18th-century games table (circa 1785). It is veneered in mahogany burl, with inlaid stringing of brass, ebony, and ferreol. This South American wood is named after a 17th-century governor of Guyana. The legs are solid mahogany, and the interior is veneered with ebony and bone dyed green and natural. Its reversible top is leather-covered on one side and mahogany burl veneer on the other. The interior has two niches, a drawer on each side, and […]
LARDIN transitional chest of drawers
Restoration of a Transition period commode. Constructed of fir and oak, it is veneered with rosewood and violet wood, with a Greek key frieze of green-stained hornbeam stringing. The sides are veneered with satinwood and violet wood. André-Antoine Lardin (1724 – August 10, 1790) obtained his master craftsman's certificate on July 1, 1750. He set up shop on rue de Charenton, under the sign "Au Bois de Boulogne." He worked there until 1770, then moved to rue Saint-Nicolas. His output was considerable. His furniture, in all styles (Louis […]
Mazarine Chest of Drawers
Restoration of a Louis XIV period commode, known as a Mazarine commode, veneered in brass and ebony on a softwood frame. Its drawers are serpentine: two full-length drawers surmounted by two half-drawers separated by an intermediate stile. Their fronts are made of softwood, their sides and bottoms of walnut. The brass decoration supporting the pendant handles features fine marquetry of scrolls, foliage, foliage, and arabesques. A geometric brass cartouche frames it and simulates keyhole escutcheons. The commode rests on four supports with […]
Chinese chest of drawers
This week, I'm presenting a Louis XIV commode from the first half of the 18th century. It's veneered in Rio rosewood and adorned with Chinese-style bronze mounts. Height: 85.7 cm, Width: 125 cm, Depth: 60.5 cm. The frame is made of softwood, with planks joined edge-to-edge. The sides, top, and bottom are dovetailed. The back is composed of several planks nailed into the rebates of the sides. The drawer bottoms and sides are made of […]
Louis XVI commode stamped JB.Tuart
Here is a very pretty Louis XVI period commode, veneered in rosewood and amaranth, with marquetry of boxwood, pearwood, maple, hornbeam, walnut, blackened pearwood, lemonwood… It is built of oak and softwood. It is stamped twice with the mark of Jean-Baptiste II TUART. But its maker is probably Jean LAPIE. Jean-Baptiste II Tuart came from a dynasty of Parisian cabinetmakers and merchants. His father, Jean-Baptiste I, obtained his master craftsman's certificate in 1741 and remained active until around 1760. Born around 1720, Jean-Baptiste II was not a master cabinetmaker, but a master woodworker […]
Louis XVI planter
A little restoration for this Louis XVI jardinière in mottled mahogany veneer and solid mahogany for the feet. Simply regluing the joints, which had become slightly loose, restoring the varnish yellowed with age using a French polish, and re-gilding the bronze mounts were enough to give it a new lease on life. To see previous restorations: https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/
Secretary LXVI stamped Martin Carlin
Restoration of a Louis XVI period lady's writing desk stamped by Martin Carlin JME. The frame is solid oak, with softwood for the drop-front and lower door. The exterior is entirely veneered in Honduran mahogany, except for the upper edge, which is embellished with a thin strip of amaranth. The interiors are veneered with rosewood, amaranth, and stringing of boxwood and ebony. Of particular interest: the upper interior compartment has never been restored and retains its original finish, a magnificent polish that has preserved its colors and luster […]
Regency chest of drawers
Restoration of a Regency commode veneered in rosewood and palisander. It arrived in very poor condition: the joints were completely detached, there were numerous missing veneers, and significant structural deformations on the sides. Its patina was also heavily soiled by multiple layers of dark wax. The bronze mounts and locks had been added in the 19th century during a restoration—a typical restoration for this type of furniture. We re-glued the sides and joints as best we could, replaced the missing veneer, and reattached the brass fluting. Above all, […]
