A style described by Gustave Flaubert as "imposing and diplomatic" in L’Éducation sentimentale.
The imperial bed, cheval glass and tripod pedestal table were all new elements in the grammar shaping the vocabulary of Empire furniture. A style marked by a more deliberately "antique feel than previously," says Pierre Verlet in his book on French 18th-century furniture. This was seen from the revolutionary period onwards in various pieces designed by Jacques-Louis David, like a mahogany veneer armchair from the painters' studio, made by Jacob in around 1786-1789, which fetched €212,500 at the sale by Marc-Arthur Kohn. Particularly liked by Flaubert – whose niece described his small drawing-room as "furnished with mahogany and red cloth Empire furniture" –, the style has remained highly popular with auction houses.
€257,600
F.-H.-G. Jacob-Desmalter, after drawings by C. Percier., rocking cradle in elm burr veneer richly decorated with chased gilt bronze mountings, Paris, ca. 1811. Fontainebleau, November 16, 2014. Osenat auction house & Binoche and Giquello auction house.
€73,750
F.-H.-G. Jacob-Desmalter, tripod pedestal table with white marble top standing on a triangular central shaft in wood and gilt stucco, Paris, Empire period. Paris, Drouot, June 27, 2014, Baron Ribeyre & Associés auction house.
€206,118
Jacob Frères, tripod in arborvitae burr veneer forming a perfume potpourri, three retractable drawers, chased gilt bronze mounting, Paris, marked "no. 439", 1811. Paris, Drouot, November 28, 2012. Coutau-Bégarie auction house.
€156,250
Attributed to F.-H.-G. Jacob-Desmalter, large Maréchal flat desk in mahogany wood and veneering, base with lyre motifs, bronze mountings attributed to Thomire, Paris, Empire period.
Paris, Drouot, June 13, 2014. FL Auction auction house.
€125,000
M.-G. Biennais, silversmith to the Emperor, octagonal cheval glass with two quiver-shaped uprights, unit in ash burr veneering with rich bronze decoration, Paris, ca. 1804. Fontainebleau, November 19, 2017. Osenat auction house.
€ 8,294
Pair of occasional oak benches with intarsia decoration of fillets and stars in ebony and scroll-shaped handles, Paris, first third of 19th century. Paris, Drouot, June 6, 2018. Thierry de Maigret auction house.
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