Lot Essay
The model for these armoires is inspired by that in the Louvre Museum, Paris and attributed to André-Charles Boulle (d. 1732), ébéniste to Louis XIV (see A. Pradere, French Furniture Makers, Paris, 1989, p. 97). They entered the Louvre Collection from the Mobilier National in 1870. Another, also attributed to Boulle is recorded in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.
A pair of late 19th Century armoires of this model, but with painted panels, was sold at Christie's, New York, 17 February 1995, lot 316.
The shape of the vase in this pair would seem to indicate the Louvre one as the source rather than that of the Hermitage.
Family tradition has it that these were supplied to Kaiser Wilhelm by Maison Chambon and were bought around 1918 by the father of the present owner.
A pair of late 19th Century armoires of this model, but with painted panels, was sold at Christie's, New York, 17 February 1995, lot 316.
The shape of the vase in this pair would seem to indicate the Louvre one as the source rather than that of the Hermitage.
Family tradition has it that these were supplied to Kaiser Wilhelm by Maison Chambon and were bought around 1918 by the father of the present owner.