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RICHARD REDDING ANTIQUES |
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RICHARD REDDING ANTIQUES |
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An extremely fine Empire gilt bronze mounted mahogany console table attributed to Jacob-Desmalter et Cie with superb gilt bronze mounts attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, the original rectangular griotte marble top above a frieze ornamented with a central palmette mount, above rectangular supports with mounted acanthus capitals and a stepped base on a rectangular base Paris, date circa 1805-08 Height 87 cm, length 103 cm, width 60 cm. Provenance: Joachim, Prince Murat and King of Naples, thence by descent. This handsome console was made for Joachim, Prince Murat (1767-1815), Napoleon’s close aide and brother-in-law and has remained within the same family until recent years. Added to the importance of its provenance, the style and overall quality of the piece bear all the hallmarks of a collaboration between the famous Parisian firm of ébénistes Jacob-Desmalter and the celebrated fondeur-ciseleur Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843). Indeed both, as the finest makers in their trade, supplied Murat with sumptuous works for his private use. For instance in circa 1808 Thomire supplied a gilt bronze mounted mahogany console, which graced Murat’s Naples residence and is now in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, (illustrated in Marie-Noelle de Grandry, “Le Mobilier Français, Directoire Consulat Empire”, 1996, p. 82). Above all it bears striking similarities with the present piece, being of the exact same design, the only difference being that the latter has no acanthus mounts at the head of the pilaster supports, the frieze mounts are more ornate and the back has mirrored glass and though the marble tops differ, both are of the richest quality. Jacob-Desmalter, at rue de Meslée, also supplied prince Murat with the choicest works. The firm’s mémoires note that between 1804-1808 the firm supplied him with goods to the value of 200,000 francs for Château de Neuilly (cited in Denise Ledoux-Lebard, “Le Mobilier Français du XIXe Siècle”, 2000, p. 308). Even before this the firm, then under the name of Jacob Frères, supplied him with a number of pieces including a gilt bronze mounted mahogany table-reversis, a mahogany table-bouillotte with fluted feet as well as six large mahogany chairs. Mme Murat also acquired furniture from Jacob including a large mahogany toilette, a mahogany bureau inlaid with ebony, a table à écrire, two fauteuils and four chairs, all again made from mahogany – a wood that was highly favoured during the Empire. Joachim Murat, King of Naples was the youngest son of an innkeeper from Bastide-Fortunière near Cahors. Originally destined for the priesthood, he studied canon law at the university of Toulouse but after dissipating his money enlisted in the cavalry but was dismissed for insubordination. However in 1791 he enrolled in the new Constitutional Guard and gained a reputation for his good looks, cavalier attitude and strong revolutionary sentiments. He first met Napoleon in 1795 under whom he later served in Italy and Egypt, distinguishing himself at the Battle of the Pyramids (1798). His courage and initiative was rewarded by his appointed as lieutenant colonel and first aide-de-camp to Napoleon and after Aboukir was made a general of a division. He dispersed the Council of Five Hundred at St. Cloud in 1799 and the following year married Napoleon’s youngest sister Caroline Bonaparte (1782-1839). 1801 saw his appointment as governor of the Cisalpine Republic and in 1805 was made grand admiral with the title of prince. Having taken part in the Battles of Jena, Eylau and Austerlitz he was made Grand Duc de Berg and Cleves. During the invasion of Spain in 1808 he commanded the French armies but his hopes of receiving the Spanish Crown were dashed and instead Napoleon made him King of Naples. In 1812 he commanded the cavalry of the grand army, which invaded Russia, but after the Battle of Leipzig he hurried back to his kingdom and having broken with Napoleon, made overtures toward Austria and Great Britain. When Napoleon escaped to Elba, Murat thought that he himself could win all Italy but he was checked at Ferrara and routed at Tolentino. He then organised an expedition to Calabria against the restored Bourbons but was captured and shot at Pizzo. |