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Lot Essay
These consoles may be German in origin and indeed bear a Dresden depository label. It is interesting to note therefore that Marie-Joseph de Saxe's contemporaneous marriage to the Dauphin in 1746 resulted in a renewed enthusiasm for French fashion in Dresden. A closely related German design to the pair, also with fretted, serpentined and asymmetrical scrolls, is illustrated in H. Kreisel, Die Kunst des Deutschen Möbels, Munich, 1968, p.536, plate 534.
The winged cartouche and acanthus flower can be seen on consoles executed in Munich and Dresden in the 1750's and 1760's, such as that supplied to the Residenz illustrated in G. Hojer and H. Ottomeyer, Die Möbel der Residenz München, Munich, 1996, II, no.62,
pp.214-6.
A German Rococo console of similar character was sold Christie's London, 12 December 1996, lot 164.
In addition, the intricate carving, particularly of the pierced shell clasp on the frieze of these consoles can be associated with the style and work found in the Französischen Hofkistlerei or 'French furniture workshop to the court', founded by Maximilian II (1662-1726) in Munich in the early 18th century. Exiled in Paris between 1705-1715, Maximilian became an advocate of French taste upon his return to Munich and encouraged French craftsmen to his workshop as well as sending his own craftsmen to train in Paris. The workshop, imitating the current French styles, employed over eighty cabinet-makers and joiners and was overseen by the architect Joseph Effner, who himself had spent several years training in Paris. Whilst Effner was responsible for many of the designs, much of the work was exectued by Johann-Adam Pichler, who had also spent time in Paris.
The winged cartouche and acanthus flower can be seen on consoles executed in Munich and Dresden in the 1750's and 1760's, such as that supplied to the Residenz illustrated in G. Hojer and H. Ottomeyer, Die Möbel der Residenz München, Munich, 1996, II, no.62,
pp.214-6.
A German Rococo console of similar character was sold Christie's London, 12 December 1996, lot 164.
In addition, the intricate carving, particularly of the pierced shell clasp on the frieze of these consoles can be associated with the style and work found in the Französischen Hofkistlerei or 'French furniture workshop to the court', founded by Maximilian II (1662-1726) in Munich in the early 18th century. Exiled in Paris between 1705-1715, Maximilian became an advocate of French taste upon his return to Munich and encouraged French craftsmen to his workshop as well as sending his own craftsmen to train in Paris. The workshop, imitating the current French styles, employed over eighty cabinet-makers and joiners and was overseen by the architect Joseph Effner, who himself had spent several years training in Paris. Whilst Effner was responsible for many of the designs, much of the work was exectued by Johann-Adam Pichler, who had also spent time in Paris.