C. Plumet & T. Selmersheim, Iris Salon Set, Art Nouveau Furniture

Charles Plumet (1861-1928) & Tony Selmersheim (1871-1971)
"Iris" - Exceptional Art Nouveau salon set
Magnificent and rare set of Art Nouveau salon furniture, in molded and finely carved mahogany, by Charles Plumet and Tony Selmersheim. The openwork iris decoration, the style's floral emblem, testifies to great refinement in the woodwork. The set includes a sofa, two armchairs and four chairs - including two classical models and two "music" chairs, slightly different in design.
The iris-embroidered green silk upholstery is original (with the exception of the braids), in a remarkable state of preservation for a set that has not been re-upholstered. Each piece is stamped "Au Bon Marché / Maison Aristide Boucicaut / Tapisserie Ameublement" under the seat, attesting to its prestigious provenance.
Tony Selmersheim, a renowned Art Nouveau cabinetmaker, joined forces around 1895 with architect Charles Plumet, who had trained in Eugène Bruneau's workshop. The latter had already designed a number of notable buildings in Paris by 1893, probably the time of their meeting. Together, they founded a company dedicated to the revival of architecture and the decorative arts, playing an active part in the reform movement in the applied arts at the end of the 19th century.
The stamp of Le Bon Marché, a department store founded in 1852 by Aristide Boucicaut and his wife Marguerite, also testifies to the prestige of the work: this "cathedral of modern commerce", described as a "temple of the fine arts", played a major role in spreading taste and avant-garde creations.

Provenance: Private collection, formerly Hôtel Majestic, Nice.

Dimensions :
H.: 95 - W.: 122 - D.: 54 cm (sofa)
H.: 95 - W.: 60 - D.: 62 cm (armchairs)
H.: 92 - W.: 45 - D.: 41 cm (chairs)

Ref: 46G4VMT233