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Lot Essay
"Erard numéro 80560: piano à queue 3 bis style Louis XV, marquèterie de bois satiné, orné de bronzes ciselés dorés mat au mercure. Vendu le 1er décembre 1900 à la maison Erard de Londres. Ce piano figure à l'exposition universelle de Paris en 1900."
Exhibited in Paris at the 1900 Exposition Universelle, this full-size Louis XV style grand-piano represents a tour-de-force of Belle Epoque design and craftsmanship, reflecting the collaboration of three major figures in the world of the decorative arts and music: the furniture-maker Zwiener Jansen successeur; the sculptor Léon Messagé; and the piano manufacturer Erard.
Jean-Henri Jansen established his business in 1880. He relocated to 9, rue Royale, Paris, in 1885. He became Fournisseur de la Cour d'Espagne, manufacturing furniture in the old and new styles. He was awarded a Silver Medal at both the 1883 Amsterdam Exhibition and the Paris 1889 Exposition Universelle. He took over Zwiener's business renaming it Zwiener Jansen Successeur and signing pieces, as can be seen in this lot ZJ.
Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener was born in Herdon, Germany, in 1849. He moved to Paris and established his workshop at 12, rue de la Roquette and is recorded as working from that address between 1880 and 1895.
He produced the very finest furniture replicating articles from the Garde-Meuble National of France. His work appears to be mainly in the Louis XV rococo manner, inset with fine marquetry, vernis Martin panels and encrusted with gilt-bronze mounts, all to the highest standards of manufacture. Exhibiting at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1889, he was awarded a gold medal. The jury reported 'dès ses débuts à une Exposition Universelle, [il] s'est mis au premier rang par la richesse, la hardiesse et le fini de ses meubles incrustés de bronze et fort habilement marquetés'.
Zwiener's collaborator for the design and execution of the sumptuous mounts for much of his work, including those for this magnificent piano, was the enigmatic sculptor Léon Messagé. In a volume of designs for furniture and bronzes dorés, published in 1890 from his address at 40, rue Sedaine, Messagé interpreted the traditional Louis XV style but, just like Zwiener with the sinuous forms of his furniture, imbued it with distinct flourishes of the art nouveau. In an obituary after Messagé's suicide in 1904, the review Art & Curiosité paid tribute to this vigorous manner and new sense of movement, commenting: 'projets nés sous le crayon se formèrent d'un jet plus rapide en la noble matière du bronze, ciselé d'une main sûre...' (October, 1904, p. 166).
This sumptuous piano was probably bought directly from Erard by Sir John Mactaggart, Bt. (1867-1956). A prominent builder and developer, Mactaggart co-founded the international realty firm of Mactaggart & Mickel and was created a baronet in 1938 for his many benefactions, including the donation of King's Park to the City of Glasgow.
Exhibited in Paris at the 1900 Exposition Universelle, this full-size Louis XV style grand-piano represents a tour-de-force of Belle Epoque design and craftsmanship, reflecting the collaboration of three major figures in the world of the decorative arts and music: the furniture-maker Zwiener Jansen successeur; the sculptor Léon Messagé; and the piano manufacturer Erard.
Jean-Henri Jansen established his business in 1880. He relocated to 9, rue Royale, Paris, in 1885. He became Fournisseur de la Cour d'Espagne, manufacturing furniture in the old and new styles. He was awarded a Silver Medal at both the 1883 Amsterdam Exhibition and the Paris 1889 Exposition Universelle. He took over Zwiener's business renaming it Zwiener Jansen Successeur and signing pieces, as can be seen in this lot ZJ.
Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener was born in Herdon, Germany, in 1849. He moved to Paris and established his workshop at 12, rue de la Roquette and is recorded as working from that address between 1880 and 1895.
He produced the very finest furniture replicating articles from the Garde-Meuble National of France. His work appears to be mainly in the Louis XV rococo manner, inset with fine marquetry, vernis Martin panels and encrusted with gilt-bronze mounts, all to the highest standards of manufacture. Exhibiting at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1889, he was awarded a gold medal. The jury reported 'dès ses débuts à une Exposition Universelle, [il] s'est mis au premier rang par la richesse, la hardiesse et le fini de ses meubles incrustés de bronze et fort habilement marquetés'.
Zwiener's collaborator for the design and execution of the sumptuous mounts for much of his work, including those for this magnificent piano, was the enigmatic sculptor Léon Messagé. In a volume of designs for furniture and bronzes dorés, published in 1890 from his address at 40, rue Sedaine, Messagé interpreted the traditional Louis XV style but, just like Zwiener with the sinuous forms of his furniture, imbued it with distinct flourishes of the art nouveau. In an obituary after Messagé's suicide in 1904, the review Art & Curiosité paid tribute to this vigorous manner and new sense of movement, commenting: 'projets nés sous le crayon se formèrent d'un jet plus rapide en la noble matière du bronze, ciselé d'une main sûre...' (October, 1904, p. 166).
This sumptuous piano was probably bought directly from Erard by Sir John Mactaggart, Bt. (1867-1956). A prominent builder and developer, Mactaggart co-founded the international realty firm of Mactaggart & Mickel and was created a baronet in 1938 for his many benefactions, including the donation of King's Park to the City of Glasgow.