FRANCE, SIGNED BRAQUENIÉ, LATE 19TH CENTURY

Established in France at the beginning of the 19th century, the firm of Braquenié began to specialise in French 18th and 19th century prints. In 1821, Pierre-Antoine Demy and his wife took over the family business and set up in rue Vivienne in Paris where they assembled the capital's most exclusive collection of rugs and tapestries. The company enjoyed immediate success and in 1830 was named by King Louis-Philippe as "silk fabric merchant to the King" and a little later was awarded the title "atelier de Paris". Figures such as Empress Eugenie, Napoleon III and members of the Rothschild family all became loyal clients.