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Lot Essay
Jean Henri Riesener, maître ébéniste in 1768.
This console-desserte with refined combination of striking mahogany panels with finely chased ormolu mounts, is a superb example of Riesener’s later work. The architectural shape with ormolu frieze of fluted arches between sprays of foliage surmounted by berries appears on a number of other pieces by this ébéniste delivered to the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne. For example, the frieze of a commode and companion secrétaire delivered to Marie-Antoinette c. 1780, stamped Riesener and now at the Frick Collection (see Theodore Dell, Furniture in the Frick Collection: Part II, New York, 1992, pp. 71-90). The same mounts also appear on a commode c. 1785, stamped Riesener and with marks of the Petit Trianon (see Alexander Pradère, Les Ebenistes Français de Louis XIV à la Revolution, p. 382, fig. 467).
Other related console-dessertes by Riesener include:
- An example at the Petit Trianon, Versailles, stamped Riesener, with the mark of the garde-meuble, of similar form to the present lot and also incorporating the use of mahogany instead of marquetry panels. Acquired by the château de Versailles from The Collection of the Vicomtesse Vigier, Paris, Palais Galliera, 3 June 1970, lot 145.
- Dimitri Mavrommatis Collection; Sotheby’s London, 8th July 2008, lot 46 (£373,250). This parquetry example is stamped Riesener and of similar D-form and with the same frieze.
- Christies, London, 19th May 1983, lot 109. This example, with provenance from Caldwell Hall, Burton-on-Trent, is attributed to Riesener, of similar form to the present lot and with the same frieze mount.
- Pierre Kjellberg, op. cit., p. 713. Of D-form, with open back and similar frieze mounts to the present lot.
- Galerie Charpentier, Paris, 1st June 1949, lot 108, stamped Riesener.
- Christies, London, 19th May 1983, lot 110. Attributed to Riesener. Of similar form to the present lot.
- Christie's, New York, 1st November 1989, lot 105, stamped Riesener.
- Sotheby's, Monaco, 27th February 1992, lot 45, stamped Riesener and with similar frieze mounts.
Jean-Henri Riesener (1734 – 1806)
Arguably the most celebrated ébéniste of the late 18th century, Riesener, along with Boulle and Cressent, was one of the very few makers to be specifically named in 18th century sale catalogues. Riesener was appointed ébéniste ordinaire du mobilier de la Couronne in 1774. He was celebrated not only for his use of marquetry of the highest quality but also for his selection of the most striking mahogany which offered a stark contrast against rich ormolu mounts. His oeuvre was promoted extensively by the Court, with Marie-Antoinette ordering three commodes and two encoignures related to the present piece for the Salon des Nobles at Versailles in 1786 (C. Frégnac et. al., Les Ebénistes du XVIIIè siècle Français, Paris, 1963, pp. 194-195).
This console-desserte with refined combination of striking mahogany panels with finely chased ormolu mounts, is a superb example of Riesener’s later work. The architectural shape with ormolu frieze of fluted arches between sprays of foliage surmounted by berries appears on a number of other pieces by this ébéniste delivered to the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne. For example, the frieze of a commode and companion secrétaire delivered to Marie-Antoinette c. 1780, stamped Riesener and now at the Frick Collection (see Theodore Dell, Furniture in the Frick Collection: Part II, New York, 1992, pp. 71-90). The same mounts also appear on a commode c. 1785, stamped Riesener and with marks of the Petit Trianon (see Alexander Pradère, Les Ebenistes Français de Louis XIV à la Revolution, p. 382, fig. 467).
Other related console-dessertes by Riesener include:
- An example at the Petit Trianon, Versailles, stamped Riesener, with the mark of the garde-meuble, of similar form to the present lot and also incorporating the use of mahogany instead of marquetry panels. Acquired by the château de Versailles from The Collection of the Vicomtesse Vigier, Paris, Palais Galliera, 3 June 1970, lot 145.
- Dimitri Mavrommatis Collection; Sotheby’s London, 8th July 2008, lot 46 (£373,250). This parquetry example is stamped Riesener and of similar D-form and with the same frieze.
- Christies, London, 19th May 1983, lot 109. This example, with provenance from Caldwell Hall, Burton-on-Trent, is attributed to Riesener, of similar form to the present lot and with the same frieze mount.
- Pierre Kjellberg, op. cit., p. 713. Of D-form, with open back and similar frieze mounts to the present lot.
- Galerie Charpentier, Paris, 1st June 1949, lot 108, stamped Riesener.
- Christies, London, 19th May 1983, lot 110. Attributed to Riesener. Of similar form to the present lot.
- Christie's, New York, 1st November 1989, lot 105, stamped Riesener.
- Sotheby's, Monaco, 27th February 1992, lot 45, stamped Riesener and with similar frieze mounts.
Jean-Henri Riesener (1734 – 1806)
Arguably the most celebrated ébéniste of the late 18th century, Riesener, along with Boulle and Cressent, was one of the very few makers to be specifically named in 18th century sale catalogues. Riesener was appointed ébéniste ordinaire du mobilier de la Couronne in 1774. He was celebrated not only for his use of marquetry of the highest quality but also for his selection of the most striking mahogany which offered a stark contrast against rich ormolu mounts. His oeuvre was promoted extensively by the Court, with Marie-Antoinette ordering three commodes and two encoignures related to the present piece for the Salon des Nobles at Versailles in 1786 (C. Frégnac et. al., Les Ebénistes du XVIIIè siècle Français, Paris, 1963, pp. 194-195).