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Lot Essay
This magnificent ormolu and Japanese lacquer cabinet by one of the most prestigious furniture makers of the second half of the 19th century, maison Kriéger, is inspired by the oeuvre of Adam Weisweiler (d.1820). It is modeled on a sécretaire en cabinet in the style arabesque supplied by Weisweiler for Louis XVI's Cabinet Intérieur at Versailles on 11 January 1784. The composition, exceptional quality of the ormolu mounts, in particular the frieze, Grecian caryatids, supports and feet of the present cabinet are characteristically Weisweiler. Similar ornamentation features on a lacquer writing table by Weisweiler and François Rémond delivered by the marchand-mercier, Dominique Daguerre, to Marie-Antoinette in 1784 with a virtually identical frieze panel, and on a commode à deux vantaux, illustrated in M. Segoura, Weisweiler, 1983, p. 119. However, maison Kriéger did not slavishly copy 18th century furniture but used industrial techniques to embody the expertise, luxury and beauty of the original, and this cabinet is an homage to the supreme craftsmanship of 18th century ébénistes.
Interestingly, H. Dasson et Cie executed a pair of cabinets-on-stands after the same Weisweiler model, which they presented at the Amsterdam exhibition in 1883. These cabinets were acquired directly from Dasson for the royal collection at Marlborough House, and subseqently sold by order of Queen Elizabeth II, Christie's, London, 1-2 October 1959, lot 180. Dasson held a number of sales at the end of 1894, which included 'original' Louis XVI and de style gilt-bronze mounts, and it is feasible that maison Kriéger acquired gilt bronzes and lacquer for the present cabinet from one of Dasson's sales (9-12 October 1894, 23-27 October 1894 and 10-12 December 1894).
This cabinet was exhibited in 1910 in Group XII, Class 69, Meubles à bon marché et Meubles de luxe by Colin (L.P.A.) et Courcier, maison Kriéger at the l'Exposition universelle de Bruxelles (Ed. M. Vermot, Catalogue Spécial Official de la Section Française). Continuing in the tradition of the great 19th century exhibitors, the finest Parisian ébénistes shared their wares at the Brussel exhibition. The cabinet was one of the preeminent pieces in a Louis XVI-style room, the latter being awarded the highest accolade, le grand Prix. The reporting jury commented on 'un intérieur de salon Louis XVI, qui est d'une belle pureté de lignes, tout en comportant une réelle richesse de détailes, avec un soin remarquable dans l'exécution,' and made particular mention to this cabinet, 'un grand bahut en bois des îles et bronzes dorés, avec panneaux de laque.' The cabinet is illustrated in situ in Plate 2 of L'ameublement de luxe à L'Exposition universelle de Bruxelles 1910 where it is clearly seen as part of the ensemble.
Maison Kriéger was established in 1826 by Antoine Kriéger and his brother Nicolas, with premises at 17, rue Saint-Nicolas, Paris. Changing address several times, the firm became known as Antoine Kriéger & Cie in 1850 and moved to 76, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine in 1853. On Kriéger's death in 1856, the company passed to his sons-in-law and became Cosse-Racault et Cie. Finally, after further name changes, it became Colin et Courcier circa 1909, with premises at 74, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine.
Interestingly, H. Dasson et Cie executed a pair of cabinets-on-stands after the same Weisweiler model, which they presented at the Amsterdam exhibition in 1883. These cabinets were acquired directly from Dasson for the royal collection at Marlborough House, and subseqently sold by order of Queen Elizabeth II, Christie's, London, 1-2 October 1959, lot 180. Dasson held a number of sales at the end of 1894, which included 'original' Louis XVI and de style gilt-bronze mounts, and it is feasible that maison Kriéger acquired gilt bronzes and lacquer for the present cabinet from one of Dasson's sales (9-12 October 1894, 23-27 October 1894 and 10-12 December 1894).
This cabinet was exhibited in 1910 in Group XII, Class 69, Meubles à bon marché et Meubles de luxe by Colin (L.P.A.) et Courcier, maison Kriéger at the l'Exposition universelle de Bruxelles (Ed. M. Vermot, Catalogue Spécial Official de la Section Française). Continuing in the tradition of the great 19th century exhibitors, the finest Parisian ébénistes shared their wares at the Brussel exhibition. The cabinet was one of the preeminent pieces in a Louis XVI-style room, the latter being awarded the highest accolade, le grand Prix. The reporting jury commented on 'un intérieur de salon Louis XVI, qui est d'une belle pureté de lignes, tout en comportant une réelle richesse de détailes, avec un soin remarquable dans l'exécution,' and made particular mention to this cabinet, 'un grand bahut en bois des îles et bronzes dorés, avec panneaux de laque.' The cabinet is illustrated in situ in Plate 2 of L'ameublement de luxe à L'Exposition universelle de Bruxelles 1910 where it is clearly seen as part of the ensemble.
Maison Kriéger was established in 1826 by Antoine Kriéger and his brother Nicolas, with premises at 17, rue Saint-Nicolas, Paris. Changing address several times, the firm became known as Antoine Kriéger & Cie in 1850 and moved to 76, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine in 1853. On Kriéger's death in 1856, the company passed to his sons-in-law and became Cosse-Racault et Cie. Finally, after further name changes, it became Colin et Courcier circa 1909, with premises at 74, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine.