Writing Table, Stamped J. Canabas (1715-1797) 18th Century

Superb Writing Table with Skate, in Solid Mahogany, Stamped Joseph CANABAS (1715-1797). The Table is in the shape of a Bean surrounded by a small edge. Our Writing or Living Room Table opens on the front with a Drawer, which is blocked by 2 Pegs on each side. It rests on Two Side Feet, openwork and joined by a Mahogany Spacer. It is in Very good condition. It measures 95 CM in Length, 45 CM in Width and 66.5 CM in Height. (59 Cm under the Drawer). CANABAS Joseph Gengenbach Joseph Gengenbach known as Canabas (1715-1797) – master's degree obtained on April 1, 1766: Of German origin, Canabas - whose real name was Joseph Gengenbach - arrived in Paris in the 1740s. Both a cabinetmaker and a carpenter, he used both veneer and solid wood. His talents were employed at that time by famous cabinetmakers, such as Jean-Francois OEBEN or Pierre Migeon while he worked as a privileged worker on rue de Charonne. The workers' book of the latter, who was also a merchant, bears witness to the furniture deliveries made by Canabas until 1761. Once he obtained his master's degrees, he deployed his activity from the main street of Faubourg Saint-Antoine, serving a private clientele and a few renowned merchants such as the Presle brothers. Canabas then established himself as a specialist in fancy, practical and often newly designed furniture. He thus produced a large number of small and neat pieces of furniture during his career. His style was very particular: he used mahogany wood of a rare quality, of a remarkable color, of a very tight grain and he distinguished himself in the perfection of their cabinetmaking. Extreme sobriety was required and left room for any decoration except for a few discreet moldings. Bronzes were practically absent. Some models belonged to the Transition style with still slightly curved feet. But the majority of them were related to a Louis XVI style. They were scrupulously studied to serve specific uses. Among the first in France, Canabas would design furniture intended to be used during meals or assemblies in the absence of servants, light furniture, easy to move, most often equipped with casters. The most typical are known in a fairly large number of examples: refreshment table, pedestal table, music stand, "mute servant" or "servant", reading table or even planter. After the Revolution, prosperity returned to Canabas until his death under the Directory. When it was sold, according to the posters and notices, his workshop still included a whole series of "secretaries, chests of drawers, pedestal tables, desks, sliding and sliding tables, cylinder bedside tables, consoles, men's and women's toilets, chiffonniers, office chairs and other objects, mostly in solid mahogany, decorated with copper and in the best taste". BIBLIOGRAPHY French Furniture of the 18th Century - Pierre Kjellberg - Les Editions de l'Amateur - 1989 Cabinetmakers of the 18th Century - Comte François de Salverte - Les éditions d'Art et d'Histoire - 1934 The Art and Manner of French Master Cabinetmakers in the 18th Century. - Nicolay Jean - Pygmalion - 1976