Lot Essay
The present lot is a faithful copy of a commode that was supplied by Guillaume Beneman for Louis XVI's apartments at Compiègne in 1786. It was probably made by Sauvage for the Comte de Provence and was later re-adapted by Beneman under the instruction of Haur for Louis XVI's Cabinet du Conseil at Fontainebleau, where it remains today. (see J. Meuvret et al., French Cabinet Makers of the Eighteenth Century, 1963, p. 309).
Born in Herdon, Germany in 1849, Zwiener is recorded as having worked in Paris at 12 rue de la Roquette from 1880 to 1895. His successful atelier executed elegant pieces of furniture replicating articles from the Garde-Meuble National of France. Working mainly in a vigorous interpretation of the French Rococo style, Zwiener's furniture is often inset with the finest marquetry, vernis Martin panels and flowing gilt-bronze mounts. At the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889, Zwiener received a gold medal and was lauded by the jurists who noted "dès ses débuts d'une Exposition universelle, [il] s'est mis au premier rang par la richesse, la hardiesse et le fini de ses meubles incrustis de bronzes et fort habilement marquetis".
Another Louis XVI style commode, stamped by Zwiener and Jansen, and bearing locks engraved by the same serrurier as the present lot, was sold in these rooms 24 April 2002, lot 108.
Born in Herdon, Germany in 1849, Zwiener is recorded as having worked in Paris at 12 rue de la Roquette from 1880 to 1895. His successful atelier executed elegant pieces of furniture replicating articles from the Garde-Meuble National of France. Working mainly in a vigorous interpretation of the French Rococo style, Zwiener's furniture is often inset with the finest marquetry, vernis Martin panels and flowing gilt-bronze mounts. At the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889, Zwiener received a gold medal and was lauded by the jurists who noted "dès ses débuts d'une Exposition universelle, [il] s'est mis au premier rang par la richesse, la hardiesse et le fini de ses meubles incrustis de bronzes et fort habilement marquetis".
Another Louis XVI style commode, stamped by Zwiener and Jansen, and bearing locks engraved by the same serrurier as the present lot, was sold in these rooms 24 April 2002, lot 108.