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"

Prince Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818);
His son Prince Magnus Barclay de Tolly (1798-1871) who married Leocadie, neé Baroness von Campenhausen (1807-1852);
Their nephew Baron Ernst von Campenhausen (1845-1922);
His son Baron Leonhard von Campenhausen (1872-1949), Stuttgart; 
Ariane Dandois, Paris, from whom purchased by the present owner;

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.
"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."

Prince Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818);
His son Prince Magnus Barclay de Tolly (1798-1871) who married Leocadie, neé Baroness von Campenhausen (1807-1852);
Their nephew Baron Ernst von Campenhausen (1845-1922);
His son Baron Leonhard von Campenhausen (1872-1949), Stuttgart; 
Ariane Dandois, Paris from whom purchased by the present owner;

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.

Prince Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818):
Barclay de Tolly was a German-speaking descendant of a branch of the Scottish Barclay clan which had settled in Livonia in the 17th century. He had an extremely successful military career in the Russian army and subsequently became the Tsar's Minister of war during Napoleon's invasion of  Russia. In the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 he commanded a central part of the Allied forces so effectively that the Tsar bestowed upon him the title of count. Barclay took part in the invasion of France in 1814 and commanded the taking of Paris, receiving the baton of a Field Marshal by way of reward. In 1815, he again served as commander-in-chief of the Russian army which after the Hundred Days occupied France, and was created Prince at the close of the war. The rest of his life was spent on his vast estates in Livonia.