Lot Essay
Georges II Jacob and François-Honoré-Georges Jacob Desmalter used this stamp between 1796-1803
The inscribed plaque on this secrétaire and on the commode (lot 340) refers to the wife of Maréchal Ney, one of Napoleon's most trusted commanders, made captain in 1794 and general in 1796. Ney became a legendary figure throughout the Napoleonic campaigns. In 1805 he commanded the VI corps of the Grande Armée at the battle of Elchingen, and his victory there led Napoleon to grant him the title of duc d'Elchingen in 1808. He was a significant figure during the Russian campaign of 1812, leading the troops at the victory of Borodino, on the eve of which he was made Prince de la Moskowa. Napolean gave him the famous title for his personal heroism of the 'bravest of the brave'.
A spectacular guéridon also stamped JACOB FRÈRES RUE MESLÉE and from the Ney collections was sold in these Rooms 26 October 1995, lot 176.
A secrétaire à abattant of this form is illustrated in P. de la Mésangère, Collections de Meubles et Objets de goût, 1807, plate 57.
The inscribed plaque on this secrétaire and on the commode (lot 340) refers to the wife of Maréchal Ney, one of Napoleon's most trusted commanders, made captain in 1794 and general in 1796. Ney became a legendary figure throughout the Napoleonic campaigns. In 1805 he commanded the VI corps of the Grande Armée at the battle of Elchingen, and his victory there led Napoleon to grant him the title of duc d'Elchingen in 1808. He was a significant figure during the Russian campaign of 1812, leading the troops at the victory of Borodino, on the eve of which he was made Prince de la Moskowa. Napolean gave him the famous title for his personal heroism of the 'bravest of the brave'.
A spectacular guéridon also stamped JACOB FRÈRES RUE MESLÉE and from the Ney collections was sold in these Rooms 26 October 1995, lot 176.
A secrétaire à abattant of this form is illustrated in P. de la Mésangère, Collections de Meubles et Objets de goût, 1807, plate 57.