Exceptionnel secrétaire en cabinet en acajou moucheté d'époque Empire, attribué à Jacob-Desmalter, les bronzes à Pierre-Philippe Thomire

la partie supérieure ouvrant à un abattant découvrant cinq tiroirs et deux étagères ; reposant sur des pieds droits ; très belle ornementation de bronze doré : bas relief représentant Apollon sur son char, médaillons figurant Les Fables de La Fontaine : l'aigle et le hibou, Le corbeau et le renard, Le loup et l'agneau, Le renard et la cigogne ;  thyrses et palmettes ; plateau de granit gris d'Egypte ; (à l'origine avec un fond de miroir) 



on square legs; with fold-down writing-top opening to reveal five drawers and two shelves; suoperb ormolu mounts, including Apollo in his chariot (bas relief) and medallions illustrating La Fontaine's fables (The Eagle and the Owl, The Fox and the Crow, The Wolf and the Lamb, The Fox and the Stork);  thyrses and palmettes; grey Egyptian granite top (originally with mirror ground). 




 

- Vente à Paris, Drouot-Montaigne, M^e Picard, le 24 juin 1993

REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHIQUES

P. Verlet, Styles, Meubles Décors, du Louis XVI à nos jours, Paris, 1972

J-P Samoyault, Meubles entrés sous le Premier Empire au château de Fontainebleau, Paris, 2004, p. 31

The color of the mahogany is more brown and warm. It has better color in reality than on illustration ; same remark for the gilding. Giltbronze of top quality, cleaned ; some wear to the border on top. Minor crack on the center motif. The inside in a good condition, the leather writting surface with marks, scratches and stains. The grey granit with a good and attractive color. This piece of furniture is in overall absolutely fine condition and shows the degree of quality which was achevied during the first Empire. It has previously a mirror at the back which is now missing but can be easily replaced. Please note that this piece owns its proper shipping crate (made on purpose).
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Un secrétaire en cabinet, (le pendant exact de celui que nous présentons) est conservé au musée du Louvre (inv OA 9510), reproduit dans P. Verlet (op. cit.), il fut acquis en 1826 par le Garde-meubles de la Couronne auprès du marchand Maigret  (voir fig. 1). Ce meuble est strictement identique au nôtre.
J-P. Samoyault a attribué l'ornementation de bronze doré du meuble du Louvre à Pierre-Philippe Thomire (op. cit.) qu'il convient naturellement d'étendre au nôtre. Un rapprochement tangible est à faire avec le secrétaire en cabinet du boudoir de l'Impératrice au château de Fontainebleau (F 3873) livré en 1809 (fig. 2). Si la forme du meuble est identique, le décor de bronze doré présente certaines différences comme le bas-relief de l'abattant montrant une Vénus marine, l'idée et la conception en sont très proches. Ce secrétaire est attribué à l'association Thomire-Duterme et Jacob-Desmalter.

The secrétaire en cabinet in the Louvre identical to, and exact pendant of, the one here (inv OA 9510, cf P. Verlet op. cit.) was acquired for the Crown from the merchant Maigret  in 1826 (cf fig. 1).

J-P. Samoyault attributes the ormolu mounts of the Louvre secretaire to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (op. cit.), and it is natural to assume that the same applies to our secretaire too. A tangible link can be established with the secrétaire en cabinet from the Empress's boudoir in the Palace of Fontainebleau (F 3873) delivered in 1809 (fig. 2), which is identical in form—they are very similar in design and conception, although there are several differences to the mounts, like the bas-relief on the flap, showing a marine Venus. The secretaire is attributed to the association of Thomire-Duterme and Jacob-Desmalter.