Exceptional Marcion-stamped Apple Tree, Empire Period.

Elegant and rare small sofa called "in apple tree" (also spelled "paumier") stamped by Pierre Benoit Marcion, from the Empire period.

Having appeared during the year 1787 in the category of sofas with three backs, the architecture of the one presented here intended it to be placed near a fireplace: one of the cheeks remains at the same height as the back, while the other, lower, is oriented close to the hearth in order to take advantage of the heat.

The particularity and refinement of the model that I propose reside in the work of the top of the side chevets both inverted and slightly twisted. And also in the design of the four screw feet in black stained wood.
Under the Empire, the term apple tree designated this short model and its use spread almost exclusively in the imperial palaces because they were very appreciated by the Emperor Napoleon. Pierre Benoit Marcion (under the impetus of the upholsterer Darrac) and Jacob Desmalter were, so to speak, the only cabinetmakers who supplied apple trees.

Very well preserved. Garnet fabric upholstery with a half of gold laurel crowns.

Stamped P.Marcion

Empire period

Dimensions:
Height : 85 cm
Width : 128 cm
Depth : 73 cm

Marcion (1769-1840)- Cabinetmaker to Napoleon, Jean-Pierre Planchon. Pierre-Benoît Marcion (1769-1840), was one of Napoleon I's suppliers. From the time of the Directory, he ran a workshop and a cabinetmaking shop on rue Neuve-des-Petits-Champs, near rue Chabanais, "Aux Égyptiens", and published advertisements inviting the public to see his "selection of genre furniture, in mahogany wood, richly decorated with bronze, based on the beautiful forms of Etruscan, Egyptian, Greek and Roman Antiquities".
His house having gained importance was soon transferred to rue Helvétius (formerly Sainte-Anne), then rue Saint-Marc. In 1806, Marcion submitted bids to the Garde-meuble for the supply of boat beds, sofas, bergères and armchairs with winged figures, seats with "sabre scabbard" feet, psyches, tripod washbasins, somnos or night tables, etc.
He was commissioned to carry out a large number of works for the palaces of Saint-Cloud, Trianon, Compiègne, Fontainebleau and Rambouillet. One of his major works was the bed of the Empress Marie-Louise, which he executed in 1809.
This bed, entirely in gilded walnut, offered very rich sculptures decorated with swans, garlands and foliage; it was completed by two torchères bearing kneeling figures which supported the draperies of the canopy.
Marcion was also commissioned with considerable works for the service of the ministers and grand officers of the Crown. Victim of a crisis which raged throughout French industry in the last years of Napoleon's reign, this cabinetmaker went bankrupt in 1814.
The State collections contain a few pieces stamped P. MARCION.

Bibliography:
-Marcion cabinetmaker of Napoleon, Jean-Pierre Planchon, Monelle Hayot editions
-French furniture Consulate and Empire, Jean-Pierre Samoyault, Gourcuff Gradenigo editions
-The Consulate and Empire styles, Christophe Huchet de Quénetain, Les éditions de l'Amateur
-The furniture of Versailles 19th century, Pierre Arizzoli-Clémentel, Jean-Pierre Samoyault, Faton editions.

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