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Lot Essay
Active from 1798 to 1817, Pierre-Benot Marcion (1769-1840) was one of the most important cabinet-makers during the Empire. He was second to Jacob as the principal supplier to Napolon, and a number of his pieces remain in former Imperial residences, such as Compigne, Fontainebleau, Versailles, and Trianon.
From 1807, he furnished the Imperial households with a pleasing model of mahogany athnienne, for which each square-section leg on ormolu paw feet, was surmounted by a Naiad mask, much in the manner of the Mercury masks on the present lot. One delivered on 26 October 1810 for the chambre de l'Impratrice at the Grand Trianon is illustrated in D. Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Franais du XIXe Sicle, 2nd ed. Paris, 1989, p. 463.
In addition to cabinet work, he also produced painted and giltwood seating furniture, consoles, and torchres.
From 1807, he furnished the Imperial households with a pleasing model of mahogany athnienne, for which each square-section leg on ormolu paw feet, was surmounted by a Naiad mask, much in the manner of the Mercury masks on the present lot. One delivered on 26 October 1810 for the chambre de l'Impratrice at the Grand Trianon is illustrated in D. Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Franais du XIXe Sicle, 2nd ed. Paris, 1989, p. 463.
In addition to cabinet work, he also produced painted and giltwood seating furniture, consoles, and torchres.