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Lot Essay
This refined commode en console is a superb example of the transitional style which emerged towards the end of the Louis XV period. Its restrained use of bois satiné and the form, with its breakfront and gentle cabriole legs, relate closely to the commodes à la grecque which Jean-François Oeben is recorded as having supplied to the celebrated patroness Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764) at Château de Menars, and several others which Simon Oeben supplied to her fiercest political ally the Duc de Choiseul (1719-1785), for whom Simon worked as principal ébéniste, at Chanteloup.
In October 1754, Simon followed his elder brother Jean-François to Paris, almost certainly to his workshop at the Gobelins. Though Jean-François left for the Arsenal in 1756, and Simon then acted as head journeyman, it was not until Jean-François' death in 1763 that Simon received the title. A month later the Marquis de Marigny issued Simon with a certificate confirming that he had worked for 'a period of eight years and three months, in the post of head journeyman to the late Jean-François Oeben'. But again, it was only six years later that Simon used this reference to receive his maîtrise in 1769. It is unsurprising that so strong a connection exists between Simon's output and that of Jean-François, especially given their marriage to two sisters, Marie-Marguerite Vandercruse and Francoise-Marguerite Vandercruse. Indeed, many works stamped by Simon may have been produced by Jean-François prior to his departure in 1763. This commode, so closely related in style and form to les frères Oeben, belongs to an important period of transition, not only between the opulent Louis XV and restrained Louis XVI styles, but also the two brothers whose work so typified that very style.
In October 1754, Simon followed his elder brother Jean-François to Paris, almost certainly to his workshop at the Gobelins. Though Jean-François left for the Arsenal in 1756, and Simon then acted as head journeyman, it was not until Jean-François' death in 1763 that Simon received the title. A month later the Marquis de Marigny issued Simon with a certificate confirming that he had worked for 'a period of eight years and three months, in the post of head journeyman to the late Jean-François Oeben'. But again, it was only six years later that Simon used this reference to receive his maîtrise in 1769. It is unsurprising that so strong a connection exists between Simon's output and that of Jean-François, especially given their marriage to two sisters, Marie-Marguerite Vandercruse and Francoise-Marguerite Vandercruse. Indeed, many works stamped by Simon may have been produced by Jean-François prior to his departure in 1763. This commode, so closely related in style and form to les frères Oeben, belongs to an important period of transition, not only between the opulent Louis XV and restrained Louis XVI styles, but also the two brothers whose work so typified that very style.