Turkish Sofa In Mahogany From The Consulate Empire Period Attributed To Jacob Frères

Large Turkish or billiard sofa in mahogany and mahogany veneer and scrolls, the armrests in rams' heads. The upholstered cheeks and the rounded armrest supports "in officer", so as to be able to sit with a saber. It rests on a straight base, the front uprights extended by a palmette shield. This very beautiful seat would come by descent from General Maransin (1770-1828), general and baron of the Empire. It comes from a larger living room furniture, of which we also have a matching bergère. Parisian work from the Consulate period or early Empire, around 1800-1805. Very likely a work of Jacob Frères or another great manufacturer of luxury seats, our bench is not stamped. The Jacob brothers are the sons of Georges Jacob, one of the greatest seat joiners of the 18th century. The latter, after having trained them, left them his workshop in 1796. Georges fils and François-Honoré created the company Jacob Frères rue Meslée, manufacturing Directoire and Consulate style furniture and seats. Given their success, Georges interrupted his retirement to help his son supply furniture for the imperial residences of Napoleon I. The Jacob dynasty continued its activity under the Empire and the Restoration as a supplier of Imperial and Royal furniture. Our bench is a luxury production, a model most likely unique and the subject of a special order for a family (General Maransin) or a prestigious palace under the Consulate or the beginning of the Empire. The quality of the sculpture of the rams' heads is admirable: fine head where one can distinguish the veining under the skin, curly hair, horns and pointed ears. This type of large comfortable sofas were intended for Turkish cabinets or for a billiard room, at a time when the vision of the Orient and the antique were fashionable. We find this type of very comfortable seats on paintings showing the Empress Josephine or Queen Hortense in their boudoir or Turkish salon. Large in size, this type of seat is very rare and very refined. Excellent condition, We had this seat completely restored, with a French polish redone in the old style. Horsehair upholstery on straps and feather cushion. It is covered with apricot-colored silk satin with wide orange and black borders from Prelle. We completed it with a striped bolster in the same fabric as the bergère en suite. The structure is in excellent condition, without play. Very beautiful model, rare collector's item for informed enthusiasts restored with museum quality finishes. Beautiful seat, a rare opportunity for an Empire decoration with a model that is not found in everyone. Length: 180cm Height: 97cm Depth: 60cm Seat height: 38cm