A Russian brass-mounted mahogany extending dining table early 19th century

of oval form with two d-shaped ends extending with four later leaves, the frieze applied with ribbed brass diaper and rectangular panels, the facetted stem applied with two freestanding c-scroll supports on a concave-sided square base and block feet on four square tapering legs, with a label on the underside:" Leonh. v Campenhausen, Stuttgart W, Hermannstraβe 11 II"

Formerly in the Collection of the Noble Family von Campenhausen
Ariane Dandois, Paris

This dining table is in overall extremely good condition. The surface is evenly highly polished throughout. The extending action works well. The leaves are later as stated in the catalogue. Feet possibly replaced. Minor chips in veneers. It is a very impressive piece.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
Antoine Chenevière, Russian Furniture the Golden Age 1780-1840, London, 1988, pp.110-144.

The Russian `Jacob' style is a term that  was used to refer to a style  of furniture and decorations that emulated the celebrated Parisian maker Georges Jacob (1739-1814). The latter, following the English tradition in the late 18th/early 19th centuries, was one of the first French makers to make chairs in solid mahogany and was instrumental in disseminating the revival in the interest in the Antique style. Jacob popularised this style in association with the celebrated architects and designers Percier and Fontaine, who published their seminal work Receuil de Décorations Intérieures in 1812. However, apart from this use of mahogany, there is little that the Russian Empire style and the furniture made by Jacob had in common. According to Chenevière op. cit., `the use of the term `Jacob' was no more than a commercial ploy to evoke foreign qualities in what was in fact a domestic product'.

Russian furniture in this new `Jacob' style, is almost always made in mahogany or a stained wood to simulate mahogany. It is often decorated with brass strips or rosettes and achieved immediate success. This Russian `Jacob' furniture was produced throughout Russia, not only in St. Petersburg and Moscow, but also was found in Imperial palaces, as well as aristocratic homes and homes of the bourgeoisie. The `Jacob' style furniture was also architectonic in outline, often inspired by architectural forms with geometric decoration. The production of this style of furniture continued well into the 1830's.

Baronial Family von Campenhausen:
Von Campenhausen is a Baltic German noble family originating from the Spanish Netherlands that formerly resided in the province of Livonia (formerly part of Imperial Russia, now Latvia and Estonia). Over the centuries members of the family served the Swedish and Russian sovereigns. The most famous member of the family was Baron Balthasar Balthasarovich von Campenhausen (1772–1823). Emperor Alexander I of Russia named von Campenhausen State Treasurer in 1809, Privy Councillor in 1810, member of the State Council and Senator in 1811, and Minister of Internal Affairs in 1823. He died in Saint Petersburg in 1823. It may well be that the present lot was supplied to him.