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A monumental Display Cabinet coming from an exceptional furniture set realized by Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim for the Palazzo Papadopoli in Venice, Italy

This monumental display cabinet is composed of three windows, designed to exhibit fine china and other sophisticated crockery, a custom revealed by the period photographs. The high society of the time collects objects of art and priceless tableware, and enjoys to show them to the guests while preserving them in this precious and imposing case. A true ceremonial piece, this opulent dresser was arranged in the reception hall that once was the Salone delle Quattro Porte in Palazzo Papadopoli . The smaller surface of this piece is pretext for an abundance of carvings that confirm the prestigious nature of it. The numerous sculptures are the work of an extremely skilled sculptor. The vertical uprights are decorated with images of old sheathed bearded men. The sheath is the support for a foliage frieze that ends with a scroll. The protruding cornice rests on corbels, representing a vocabulary of ornamental architecture. It supports four vases with lids and an armorial pediment flanked by two griffins and crowned with a cardinal's hat: it is a hat with a flat, wide-brimmed shape and from which hang large silk cords. Between the cornice and the window, a carved frieze of festoons alternates with monsters. Shells are arranged above the festoons. The extreme quality of the sculpture and the much-sought decor is indicative of the work of an exceptional sculptor, whose mastery was unrivaled. The coat of arms on this dresser is the Aldobrandini's, whose most famous member was Pope Clement VIII, between 1592 and 1605. Having his nephews quickly appointed cardinal in order to enlarge the Aldobrandini's power, we owe this very Pope the concept of « nepotism », « nepote » being the Italian for nephew. The Aldobrandini, from Florence, increased their wealth during the Middle Ages and adopted the coat of arms azure per bend embattled or and six stars or. Since 16th century it is framed with the cardinals symbols, just like it is on this amazing dresser : a broad brimmed hat with tassels, the galero. Agostino Caracci, brother of considerable Anibal Caracci, designs this exact coat of arms for the cardinal Cinzio Aldobrandini. The Aldobrandini heraldy is sculped on many Italian buildings, it is for example carved with the galero in the Aldobrandini Chapel of Ravenna's Duomo. Used by Clement VIII, it is often seen with the papal keys, like in Santa Maria Maggiore where his gravestone was designed by the illustrious sculptor Bernino, and on the coins minted with his blazon. An Aldobrandini descent from his mother Maria Maddalena, Nicolo Aldobrandini-Papadopoli wished to preserve the memory of this lineage in the Palazzo Papadopoli decoration.

Ref.03168
The seats coming from an exceptional furniture set realized by Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim for the Palazzo Papadopoli in Venice, Italy

Two armchairs and four chairs in carved walnut wood. This set is coming from the Palazzo Papadopoli, Venice, Italy, "Salone delle Quattro Porte" which was totally refurnished between 1874 and 1881 by Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim . The armchairs and the chairs of this set are produced in the same way with the difference that the armchairs are fitted with sculpted armrests. The base is made of four legs resting on round feet. The two front feet are tapered and fluted in their middle part, similar to columns. The architectural language here adopts an ornamental theme. The two back legs are from a square section. The feet are connected to each other by a spacer in the shape of an H, decorated in its center with an image of acanthus leaves. The frame of the seat is carved from a frieze of small flowers taking place in flowery containers. The main surface is decorated with a plant motif hanging from this frame. In the center of this motif is a crown of a duke. The uprights of the back are represented in an identical manner on all the chairs. The upper part shows the busts of sheathed women carved in very high relief and ending with an acanthus leaf. They rest on a console which again depicts the crown of the duke.The handles of the two chairs are a beautiful work of sculpture, notably through the back attachment where a winding acanthus leaf is represented. The grips protrude from the arms and show the heads women with extravagantly made up hair.

Ref.03169
Three stands coming from an exceptional furniture set realized by Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim for the Palazzo Papadopoli in Venice, Italy

These three identical stands are made from the same solid body, tapered towards the bottom, which rests on a square base. Their main surface is a primarily sculpted panel. Foliage, weaving and floral trophies are sculpted in low relief on a textured background. In the middle is an egg-shaped element with decorative edges which shows a mask set against a motif of wrapped leather. This head is issued from the collection of grotesque motifs from the Renaissance and from the 16th century. The sides of the stands are decorated with a molding enlivened with floral motifs. In the ancient photographs that we show you above, we see perfectly well the described stools, in the Salone delle Quattro Porte du Palazzo Papadopoli. From one side of the room, they are situated on each side of the ceremonial china cabinet. They are therefore the support of large sculpted busts. From the other side of the room, they support vases with handles and are placed around the fireplace. The presentation of these photographs is completely unedited and exceptional. 

Ref.10704
Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Curved writing desk with lozenges marquetry And flowers bouquet in porcelain inlay

This charming writing desk is designed in curves : the rounded feet follows a movement that also curves the sides of the chest. On this one, the rosewood has been plaited in a nice work of marquetry in lozenges. The elegant sobriety of black and gold highlights the luminosity of the rosewood veneer, the false marble, and the vivid colors of the porcelain flowers. Auguste Luchet evoked with lyricism "the magic that comes from a bouquet in kaolin on a black background" like on our desk. The chest is indeed graciously decorated with Julien-Nicolas Rivart 's porcelains. He is the inventor of the porcelain marquetry technique, a unique process, searched for a long time and patented in 1849, he was the only one to master. We have here a beautiful example of these rare decorations with a bouquet of roses, white campanulas, pansies, tulip and forget-me-nots. The shelf is adorned as well by a beautiful frieze of wild flowers. Rivart , a skillful artist, achieved an aesthetic synthesis between the Florentine hard stone marquetry and the decoration of porcelain slabs from 18th century. He can hence combine the lightness of marquetry and its sophisticated contrasts effects, with the charm of painting on porcelain. The marquetry invented by Rivart enables these sophisticated hues to contrast directly with the wood, and prevents to hide the veins and the cabinetmaker's beautiful work. For that reason, at the World's Fairs of 1851, 1855 and 1867, this technique is described as "a delicious process", "yet more beautiful than beautiful", and receives the Emperor Napoleon III's congratulations. Open, the desk offers its beautiful rose wood veneers and its mahogany lozenges marquetry. The chest includes two shelves and five drawers equipped with gilt bronze vegetable shaped handles. At last, the shelf is embellished by an embossed and gilt leather blotter.

Ref.10711
TAHAN Manufactory, Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) and Pierre-Joseph GUEROU - Exceptional Louis XV style violin-shaped Desk Decorated with porcelain marquetry And gilt bronze espagnolettes

Of exceptional manufacture, this Louis XV style desk is a "bureau plat de milieu", designed to be arranged in the center of a room. It is the fruit of a collaboration between the cabinetmaker Tahan and the audacious Julien-Nicolas Rivart , supported by the painter Pierre-Joseph Guérou . Lavishly decorated on all sides and mounted in a sumptuous decor of gilt bronze, four espagnolettes decorate its curved legs, and four beaded shells, enliven by foliage, adorn the four "violin" shaped crosspieces. The presence of the three signatures allows us without hesitation to determine the part of each one in the elaboration of this work of exception. We know that Julien-Nicolas Rivart registered a patent for a porcelain inlay technique in September 1849, and that he joined in 1850 with Paul-Joseph Andrieux, a native of Limoges, under the name "Rivart et Andrieux", being then the only ones to fully master this meticulous and eminently delicate technique of marquetry. Rivart achieved here a synthesis between the Florentine hard stone marquetry and the decoration of porcelain slabs from 18th century. Rivart's invention enables sophisticated hues to contrast directly with the wood, and prevents to hide the veins and the cabinetmaker's beautiful work. For that reason, at the World's Fairs of 1851, 1855 and 1867, this technique is described as "a delicious process", "yet more beautiful than beautiful", and receives the Emperor Napoleon III's congratulations. He can hence combine the lightness of marquetry and its sophisticated contrasts effects, with the charm of painting on porcelain. The flower crown adorning the shelf was thus painted with a great range of hues and the freshness of porcelain painting. Pierre-Joseph Guérou , painter of flowers and former painter of the Sèvres Manufactory in the years 1847-1848, realizes here a gorgeous painted decoration of naturalistic flowers, that he signs and dates of 1853. He unfolds here a complete palette of complementary tints, with purple campanulas and a yellow tulip for example, that create a remarkable luminosity. Presently, very rare furniture pieces bearing Guérou's signature are known, which makes our desk all the more rare. Guérou signed as well in 1852 a table preserved in the Museum of Murska Sobota (Slovenia) and originating from the Beltinci residence, which decoration is slightly different, being composed of four flower bouquets. The table itself proposes a more simple decoration, the four sides displaying a wood marquetry and the gilt bronze being notably reduced. Once the shelf of our desk was realized, one of the privileged collaborators of Rivart entered on stage, the renowned Tahan . Signing and dating 1856 on the drawer's lock, the "Patented Cabinetmaker of the Emperor" used his exceptional mastering for the realization of this desk and probably for its gilt bronze decoration. The desk presented here is hence a fine witness of Tahan's favorable disposition towards the "Rivart process". Pierre Lambert Tahan , a Belgian cabinetmaker, settled in Paris shortly before 1806, in the district of the Temple. In 1844, he ceased all activity and left the direction of his shop to his son, Jean-Pierre Tahan . The latter will then completely revolutionize the organization of the company by separating manufactory and store, installed at 32 rue de la Paix. A year later, he is already reported as "Supplier of the King and Princes". In 1855, he bears the title of "Supplier of the Emperor", a reference of the highest importance which he takes care to recall on our table the following year. At that time, the Court commissioned him a large range of furniture pieces, libraries, tables, pedestals and toiletry cases. Then, Tahan will participate in the great World's Fairs of his time. On the occasion of the World's Fair of 1855 in Paris, he presents an extraordinary aviary in walnut carved with foliage and flying birds. Executed by Tahan , our desk is a true luxurious work, suitable to the decoration of a princely interior. The comparison can easily be established with the table bought by the Count of Manneville on the occasion of his marriage in 1861 and now preserved in the Sèvres Museum of the Cité de la Céramique. On this table we observe a very similar crown of flowers, knotted with four sky-blue ribbons, although the colors are paler. There is no mention of Guérou for the painting of these flowers, which is hardly surprising given the late date of realization for this table, almost ten years after the realization of our desk.

Ref.10638
Georges Alphonse MONBRO (attributed to), Pair of low bookcases with bronze espagnolettes

This pair of cabinets with rosewood and amaranth veneer was made during the 19th century. Attributed to Georges Alphonse Bonifacio Monbro, these two pieces of furniture are characteristic of his work because of the delicacy and the profusion of the gilt and finely chiseled bronze decoration. The abundance of Monbro's production and his predilection for eclectic furniture enhanced the belief that Monbro made this cabinets. Monbro, whose father was an antique dealer and a cabinetmaker, was born in 1807 in Paris, where he died in 1884. He took over the family business from 1838 with the name "Monbro aîné" and whose the shop was situated at 18, Rue Basse-du-Rempart. During Haussmann’s renovation of Paris, he had to move and set up in Rue du Helder, in the hôtel Dudon, which will also be demolished. Monbro sold curiosities, furnitures, bronzes, porcelains, tapestries, sculptures and was also cabinetmaker. He acquired a great renown and opened a branch in London around 1850. While his shop was compared by his contemporaries to a real antiquities museum, the furniture he created were famous thanks to their historicism and their eclecticism, in vogue, as this pair of cabinets. The rosewood and amaranth veneer is very fine. The amaranth frames the rosewood parcels whose the streaks add ornamentation and relief, even a certain geometric aesthetic. Richly adorned with carved and gilt bronze, this cabinets each support a Carrara marble top subtly veined. On both sides, bronze and high relief espagnolettes adorn the corners. These espagnolettes, decorated with detailed leaves and draperies, are taken from the Regence style and are become, during Napoleon III, a recurring pattern in the decorative arts. Leaves and bunches of grapes surround the bronze borders as a vine stock. The furniture legs are inspired both by Louis XV and Louis XVI styles : they are ornated with square rosettes which are overhung by rococo curves and shells. A half-lion and half-human face is at the centre and is wrapped with foliage. The bronze is very fine and elaborated, especially on the edgings with rococo decorations which structure each piece of wood or on the edgings finely decorated with oak leaves which frame the two windows. Both restorer and cabinetmaker renowned for his skill as connoisseur about bronzes and antique furnitures, Monbro specialized in historical styles and in antique furnitures reproduction, at a time when copies were most appreciated than originals. Constance Aubert tells in the review L'Opéra in 1842 his journeys through France, Switzerland and Italy for visiting all the castles to find antique furnitures in order to resell or to copy it for his creations. However, if Monbro was a real historic styles expert – Marc Fournier, a critic, writes in the review La Grande ville, that he was "the only curiosities merchant with [...] a great reputation and genuinely versed in the science of archeology" - he did not imitate originals, but he reinterpreted historic styles, according to the trend of the period, and this pair of cabinets is a perfect example : Louis XV, Louis XVI and Napoleon III styles are mixed.Georges Alphonse Bonifacio Monbro is especially known for his ebony and gilt bronze furnitures decorated with enamel such as the one currently exhibited at the Musée d'Orsay. Two caryatids also adorn the angles and the figure in the center is reminiscent of those at the bottom of our cabinets. This furniture with many inspirations - rigor and egyptomania are taken from the Napoleon I style, shells and curves from the Louis XV style, square rosettes from the Louis XVI style - is also characteristic of the furniture of the time.Antiques merchant, with whom "all the precious remains of past ages are," Monbro made bronze furnitures with eclectic decor his specialty, symptomatic of the aestethic of the second half of the 19th century and his taste for curiosities.

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Maison des Bambous by Perret and Vibert (att. to) - Japonese style pair of sellettes with dragons decor

This pair of Japanese style carved wood sellettes is attributed to the Maison des Bambous, company owned by Perret and Vibert, Parisian producer of Far East inspired furniture, around 1880-1890. Two large dragons with sinuous bodies make up the central part of these sellettes. Placed so that they are looking at each other, they form a true pair. Their bodies are elaborately carved, the accentuated and tortuous lips and the flat nose are common features of Maison des Bambous. The bodies wind down the sellettes and wind around themselves, finishing with an abundance of curved lines, which make up the flamed dragons' tails. Perret and Vibert's Maison des Bambous was set up in 1872 at number 33 rue du Quatre-Septembre. Specialised in the production of small furniture and seats made out of bamboo and wicker, they quickly turned towards the production of Japanese and Chinese inspired carved wood furniture. Around 1910, they opened a branch at 170, boulevard Haussmann and kept it open until 1994, the year that Maison des Bambous permanently closed.

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Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Small bedside table decorated with wisteria in porcelain marquetry

This elegant bedside table is adorned of flowers inlays, which great naturalism illustrates the technical mastery of Julien-Nicolas Rivart, inventor of porcelain marquetry, for which he registered a patent in 1849. Wisterias are thus blooming in fresh colors on the surface of the wood, enhancing the preciosity of this work.

Ref.11153
Small serving table in the taste of Gabriel Viardot

The top, bordered by asymmetrical windings, and the shelves are decorated with panels decorated with enamelled flowers and birds on a pink background. It opens to a belt drawer, partially animated by a gallery openworked with Chinese motifs. Feet carved in lion's feet, joined by asymmetrical shelves.

Ref.12792
Gabriel VIARDOT, Shelving unit with dragon decoration and mother of pearl marquetry, circa 1880-1890

This Japanese shelving unit was made of tainted sycamore by the French furniture maker Gabriel Viardot (1830-1906) in the last decades of the 19th century as indicates the signature "G. VIARDOT" on one of the feet. It's during the 1867 World Fairn where he discovered the Japanese Art, the Gabriel Viardot decided to devote himself to “Chinese-Japanese style furniture”. It’s with this production that he was awarded a silver medal at the World's Fair of 1878. His furniture was produced thanks to lacquered and carved panels sent directly from China or Japan and decorated with mother of pearl inlays from Tonkin. He enlivened his furniture with bronze decorations, of which he made all the designs by hand. In 1885, he participated in the World Exhibition of Antwerp where he obtained a gold medal. At this time, the shop employed 90 – 100 workers, sculptors or cabinetmakers, a lot of who were educated directly by Gabriel Viardot. Following this exhibition, Gabriel Viardot was promoted to the rank of Knight in the Legion of Honor (December 29 1885). In 1889, he was at the World Exhibition that took place in Paris and awarded a gold medal. He obtained the same award at the World's Fair of 1900. The furniture maker creates here an asymetrical shelving unit of which the shape and decoration are inspired by the Far-East esthetic. The top of the furniture reminds indeed of the pagoda roof, while we find here and there the dragon motif in polished varnished bronze and the geometric scrolls decoration. On each of the three doors, Gabriel Viardot chose to inlay a decor made of Tonkin mother of pearls. We can especially see on the superior door, an exceptional reproduction of a typical village, or a branch of cherry tree with flowers on one of the lower door. The detail precision goes to the sides of the furniture which present an elegant chiseled decoration depicting bamboo leaves.

Ref.11379
Gabriel Viardot (attributed to) - Japanese style bed with mother-of-pearl marquetery

This bed was made of tainted sycamore in the late 19th century in the taste of Gabriel Viardot or Maison des Bambous production. The bed is surmounted by a canopy with sculpted japanese motifs of which one of the mount in adorned with a coiled cherry tree branch. the headboard shows a sculpted decoration of bird in a flowered branched surrounding and mother-of-pearl motifs of flowers and foliages. The foodboard shows a cared decoration of plants and clouds, a dragon in relief and mother-of-pearl and bone marquetery.

Ref.15629
Julien-Nicolas RIVART, Napoleon III Style Gueridon by Julien-Nicolas RIVART – Floral Marquetry on Marble Top

This Napoleon III style gueridon is signed by Julien-Nicolas RIVART, renowned for his expertise in marble marquetry. The circular black marble top is adorned with a refined floral inlay featuring morning glory flowers in shades of pink, white, and blue. The motifs are meticulously set in a wreath-like arrangement, offering a striking contrast against the dark stone. The edge is framed with a delicate beaded gilt border. The ebonized wood base features a turned central column carved with ivy leaves in relief, supported by three scroll legs ending in claw feet. This piece reflects RIVART’s decorative craftsmanship and the high standard of ornamental art during the Second Empire.

Ref.16052
PORET AND PANNETIER, French billiard table in the Louis-Philippe style with rich marquetry decoration, resting on six gilt bronze lion's feet

This exceptional French billiard table is signed Poret and Pannetier. Active from 1807 to 1852, Pannetier was a prestigious Parisian billiard table manufacturer. During his career, he was a supplier to the Emperor and later to the monarchy. It is known that he partnered with Poret in 1842 and established the company at 30 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle in Paris. Their business continued until 1852. The inscription "Breveté - Roi" (Patented - King) indicates a royal warrant, illustrating the manufacturers' prestige. As the July Monarchy ended in 1848, this billiard table can be dated between 1842 and 1848. The Louis-Philippe period and ornamental vocabulary are reflected in the style of this billiard table, with its clean and imposing lines. The six gilt-bronze legs feature lion masks and clawed hooves, while the marquetry decoration, still in the neoclassical style, displays elegant scrolls and foliage. In a lively yet discreet manner, confronted griffins evoke antiquity. Our billiard table has two gilt-bronze ball trays in the shape of lion heads. Having entered the customs of the French nobility as early as the 17th century, the game of billiards experienced considerable growth in the mid-19th century, particularly with the invention of French billiards as it is played today. This imposing table is a historical testament to the popularity of billiards in France during this period.

Ref.13906
L’Escalier de Cristal – Japoniste guéridon in exotic wood and gilt bronze

This japoniste guéridon is a fine example of the refinement characteristic of L’Escalier de Cristal. Founded in 1808, the firm changed hands many times, and its output followed the fashions and trends of the century. When Émile-Augustin Pannier took over the company in 1863, fascination with the Far East was at its height. L’Escalier de Cristal then produced furniture in the japoniste taste for the French market, as illustrated by this guéridon in exotic wood. The table stands on four carved legs, each ending in hoof-like feet shaped as claws. Delicate engraved scrollwork decorates the uprights, while the frieze is pierced with Greek-key motifs and centered with a gilt-bronze medallion. The top of each leg is adorned with a gilt-bronze mount forming a threatening guardian lion head (lion de Fo). The upper register supports a circular griotte marble top; its surrounding band is engraved with japoniste motifs in the wood and punctuated by four pierced gilt-bronze inserts. L’Escalier de Cristal produced numerous models of japoniste pedestals and guéridons. The abundance of gilt-bronze mounts and the finesse of execution of this example attest to the luxury and refinement of the japoniste production initiated by Pannier in the 1860s. Our model can be dated between 1860 and 1890.