Gabriel Viardot, 1830-1906, A fine carved cabinet Paris, late 19th century

applied with ivory reliefs and bronze mounts, in the Chinese taste

This cabinet is typical of furniture made by Gabriel Viardot. Gabriel took over the family form from his father Charles in 1861. It was located at 36 and 38 rue Rambuteau where objects d'art et de fantasie where sold. Gabriel also opened his own business in 1860 in rue de Grande Chantier, but kept the workshops on rue Rambuteau. The shop moved several times before they finally settled at 36 rue Camelot where they stayed until the end of the century. Gabriel Viardot specialised in exotic furniture and advertised as createur des meubles dans le genre chinois et japonais. Chinese and Vietnamese styles influenced Viardot greatly, Vietnam being one of Frances most important colonies and considerable quantities of decorative arts including furniture and prints were imported from the far east, especially from centres like Hanoi and Canton. Viardot was a participant of Exposition Universelles in 1867 (four medals), 1878 (silver medal), and 1889 (gold medal). A contemporary source says about him, 'il nous presente ses meubles japonaise toujours fort interessants tout parleur tonalite que par leur parfaite execution'.