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Lot Essay
Pierre Garnier, matre in 1742.
This striking secrtaire de campagne, with its use of richly figured mahogany panels on a folding stand, exemplifies the fashionable got anglais of the 1770's. Garnier was an innovative bniste, being one of the first to adopt the massive architectural forms of early neo-classicism while also employing more understated, sober styles such as on this secretaire. His use of the got anglais is revealed by his fascinating correspondance with Madame de Pompadour's brother, the Marquis de Marigny, Directeur Gnral des Btiments, in which they discuss, for instance, 'deux bas d'armoire en acajou' and a 'Toilette d'homme a l'angloise' (see S. Eriksen, 'Letters from the Marquis de Marigny to Pierre Garnier', Furniture History Society Journal, 1972, pp. 78-85).
A closely related pair of secretaires by Franois Reizell was offered Sothebys Monaco, 3 July 1993, lot 30.
This striking secrtaire de campagne, with its use of richly figured mahogany panels on a folding stand, exemplifies the fashionable got anglais of the 1770's. Garnier was an innovative bniste, being one of the first to adopt the massive architectural forms of early neo-classicism while also employing more understated, sober styles such as on this secretaire. His use of the got anglais is revealed by his fascinating correspondance with Madame de Pompadour's brother, the Marquis de Marigny, Directeur Gnral des Btiments, in which they discuss, for instance, 'deux bas d'armoire en acajou' and a 'Toilette d'homme a l'angloise' (see S. Eriksen, 'Letters from the Marquis de Marigny to Pierre Garnier', Furniture History Society Journal, 1972, pp. 78-85).
A closely related pair of secretaires by Franois Reizell was offered Sothebys Monaco, 3 July 1993, lot 30.