Jacob Desmalter: Pair of Empire period mahogany armchairs - stamped

A pair of Empire-style mahogany and mahogany veneer armchairs, featuring a straight, slightly curved back, palmette and scroll armrests, and baluster legs. Our armchair is richly upholstered in a gold and white silk with a rosette motif on the seat and a palmette surrounded by a laurel wreath on the back (Lelièvre company). Late Empire period, early 19th century, circa 1810. Stamped Jacob Desmalter et Cie JACOB. D. R. MESLEE, used between 1803 and 1813. Each chair bears an illegible handwritten château label underneath.

The Jacob dynasty was probably the most prestigious of French cabinetmakers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, enjoying immense success as a supplier, notably to the Imperial Furniture Repository (as well as to the Crown before and after the Empire). The chairs produced in Jacob's workshop are recognizable, in particular, by their exceptional quality of craftsmanship, consistently perfect proportions, and remarkable originality in the creation of new forms and models.

When analyzing Jacob's output, it is interesting to note that the chair designs from this prestigious workshop very often combine decorative motifs, leg shapes, armrests, and the way armrests and seat rails join. These elements are repeated from one set of salon furniture to another, thus ensuring the client a unique piece while also allowing for increased productivity at Jacob's workshop, which employed up to 350 workers during the Napoleonic era.

Beautiful model; the proportions are generous, and the armchair is comfortable thanks to its curved back. We are selling a set of a pair of matching chairs, and also a third armchair and a third chair upon request to create a more complete salon furniture set (see overall photos).

Excellent overall condition. This armchair was reupholstered and re-covered in this beautiful, luminous silk 10 years ago. The fabric is in very good condition, with no stains and only a few minor signs of wear. The original varnish on the mahogany frame has been cleaned and polished by our cabinetmaker.

Width: 61cm
Height: 93cm
Depth: 60cm
Seat height: 40.5cm

Ref: 07KTBKEZO1