An elegant Empire mahogany dressing table in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter. With a hinged adjustable mirror framed in mahogany and supported by two columns with fine quality bronze mounts. Surmounted by a triangular-shaped pediment enriched with a bronze mount depicting griffins and classical ornaments. The mirror is raised on a rectangular mahogany console table supporting a slab of mottled grey marble. The frieze section is raised on columnar front legs and pilasters at the back, all resting on a concave plinth. The columns are mounted with bronze capitals and collars above their bases, and the frieze is decorated with stylized foliate flanking a central flower wreath.
The firm of Jacob-Desmalter was the largest supplier of fine quality furniture in the period of the Empire. Its founder, Georges Jacob (1731-1814), established his workshop in 1765, the year he was granted his maîtrise. The firm became official suppliers to the Directorate and to the Empire, he supplied the imperial residences such as Château de Malmaison, the Château de Compiègne and the Tuileries Palace. Our dressing table is closely related to one delivered to the Hôtel Marbeuf in Paris in 1809, today located at palace of Fontainebleau.
See: Samoyault, Jean-Pierre: Mobilier Francais Consulat et Empire, Paris 2009, p. 235, fig. 408
Condition: very good, min. wear consistent with age and use, min. fading – detailed condition report on request
