Rare Ceremonial Bather In Mahogany And Gilded Wood, Early 19th Century.

Rare ceremonial bather in mahogany and gilded wood, early 19th century. This rare and interesting seat dating from the first quarter of the 19th century, is a model that can be described as ceremonial, with its carved and gilded mahogany wood, it offers a sought-after and less common ornamentation, a guarantee of great research in the execution of the design before production, we can also deduce that it is a commissioned seat, then made by a large workshop as confirmed by the quality of the production, the fact of being built entirely in solid mahogany is also a sign of luxurious production, all these elements suggest the paternity of a great cabinetmaker of the Empire period, this seat, although not stamped, could quite be a work of Pierre-Antoine Bellangé (1757-1827), French cabinetmaker, official supplier of the First Empire and then of the Restoration. This divan, dedicated to rest and relaxation, is part of the family of daybeds, which were very fashionable in the 19th century. Its very particular shape, which fits into an oval plan, as well as its bedside tables with enveloping backs, give it its name of "baigneuse", a term which according to Havard appeared at the beginning of the 19th century. It is therefore a seat with a somewhat common shape which is enriched with a work of ornamentation and sculpture of the first order, the ornamentation holds great importance in this work, it dominates the seat, first of all the structure rests on back-to-back chimeras, this motif is the base of an Empire base, the wide ovoid belt which rests on the fantastic creature is sculpted in the spirit of the bas-relief, also recalling the bronze ornaments which adorn the richest achievements of the first Empire, we see in the center a mask of a goddess surrounded by a crown of flowers, surely Flora surrounded by foliage, bases and palmettes, the sides are also sculpted with branches of intertwined laurel leaves. This base encircling the seat receives a large decorative element carved in high relief, the armrest console of the small bedside table is decorated with a very successful snail, the gastropod symbol of laziness and resurrection is a first in the seats that we have been able to observe, at the other end, symbolizing fidelity and sensuality, a long-necked swan forms the console of the second bedside table, this motif that we find on beds from the Empire and Restoration periods had been chosen by Josephine as a symbol, the console is finalized by a falcon's head, an ornament that we find in ancient Egypt, the animal being the protector of the pharaohs. The long sinuous ramp that connects the two bedside tables and ends the backrest is also carefully worked with a frieze of waves, this motif from neoclassical and found in Greek and Roman architecture also bears the name of post. We also find this motif sculpted on the edge of the seat. This very beautiful and unique piece of carpentry dates from the first 20 years of the 19th century, we can imagine a factory located in the last years of the Empire or at the very beginning of the Restoration period. This seat in very good condition has benefited from a restoration in the rules of the art, the upholstery is covered with a sumptuous fabric from the house Lelièvre "la parade des oiseaux". Dimensions: Width: 174 cm Depth: 70 cm Seat height: 35 cm