Lot Essay
The distinctive fluted columnar legs with Ionic capitals relate this piece to the famous bureau plat and cartonnier made by Joseph for the duc de Choiseuil (sold Sotheby's Monaco, 14 June 1981, lot 144). The motifs also appear on a desk signed by Montigny, sold in these Rooms, 30 April 1986, lot 204. The frieze mounts and architectural outline appear on a bureau plat made by Jean-François Leleu probably for the Prince de Condé (sold Christie's London, 11 June 1992, lot 61).
Garnier was born in 1720 and achieved his mairtise in 1742. As early as 1761 he began producing furniture in the neo-classical style along with Simon Oeben and Joseph Baumhauer. Amoung his most important clients was the Marquis de Marigny, Madame de Pompodour's brother, who ordered large amounts of neo-classical pieces from Garnier in the 1770's (A. Pradère, French Furniture Makers, 1989, pp. 247-248). It is interesting to note that other pieces by Garnier have parallels with Joseph, notably a bureau à cylindre illustrated in Pradère, op. cit., p. 246, fig. 252, further supporting the connection between this console and works by Joseph.
Garnier was born in 1720 and achieved his mairtise in 1742. As early as 1761 he began producing furniture in the neo-classical style along with Simon Oeben and Joseph Baumhauer. Amoung his most important clients was the Marquis de Marigny, Madame de Pompodour's brother, who ordered large amounts of neo-classical pieces from Garnier in the 1770's (A. Pradère, French Furniture Makers, 1989, pp. 247-248). It is interesting to note that other pieces by Garnier have parallels with Joseph, notably a bureau à cylindre illustrated in Pradère, op. cit., p. 246, fig. 252, further supporting the connection between this console and works by Joseph.