Set of Eight Chairs, for the residence of Léon Denivelle, Saint-Paul de Vence, circa 1960

Jacques Quinet was a notable French designer who gained great commercial success in the 1940s and 50s. He began his career in 1937, running his family’s small furniture store. By 1947, he was participating in many prestigious exhibitions such as Art et Industrie, Siège au Pavillion de Marsan, and Salon des Artistes Décorateurs. His style and use of rare woods such as sycamore, mahogany and cherry wood attracted many wealthy and important clients. One such client was Léon Denivelle (1905-1992), a professor of dye chemistry at the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers (CNAM) from 1941 to 1974. Denivelle’s residence in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France was furnished by Jacques Quinet with constructions in cherry wood, leather, and brass. The present and en suite lots exemplify the typical style of Quinet, elegant yet simple forms reminiscent of the Neoclassical movement with their symmetrical designs and emphasis on function over ornament. These works offer a timeless design for modern and contemporary homes, proving the influence Quinet has had on furniture makers into present day.