Desks and bureaus — Auction price
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John Goddard (1724–1785) was a distinguished American cabinetmaker whose work significantly influenced 18th-century furniture design, particularly in Newport, Rhode Island. Born on January 20, 1724, in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Goddard apprenticed under Job Townsend, a prominent Newport cabinetmaker. This apprenticeship not only honed his craftsmanship but also led to his marriage to Townsend's daughter, Hannah, further solidifying his ties to the esteemed Townsend-Goddard furniture-making dynasty.
Establishing his own workshop in Newport, Goddard became renowned for his exceptional skill and innovative designs. He is credited with originating the block-front knee-hole desks and secretary desks, which became highly sought after by affluent clients. His creations are characterized by distinctive features such as the block-front facade, intricately carved shells, and robust ball-and-claw feet. These elements not only exemplify the aesthetic preferences of the period but also showcase Goddard's meticulous attention to detail and mastery of proportion.
One of Goddard's most notable patrons was Nicholas Brown, a prominent Providence merchant. In the early 1760s, Brown commissioned a set of elaborately carved mahogany side chairs from Goddard. These chairs, distinguished by their pierced crest shells, double-scrolled splats, and elegantly shaped stretchers, are considered masterpieces of Newport craftsmanship. The collaboration between Goddard and Brown underscores the cabinetmaker's reputation as "the neatest workman in America," a testament to his superior craftsmanship and design sensibilities.
Goddard's influence extended beyond his lifetime, as his workshop became a training ground for future artisans, including his sons. Following the British occupation of Newport, three of his sons relocated to Nova Scotia, where they continued the family's cabinetmaking tradition, thereby disseminating the Newport style to new regions. The Goddard family's contributions to furniture making have left an indelible mark on American decorative arts, with their pieces remaining highly prized by collectors and museums alike.
Today, John Goddard's works are preserved in esteemed institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which houses a side chair attributed to him. This chair exemplifies the characteristic Newport knee carving and the spherical ball feet associated with Goddard's style, serving as a tangible representation of his enduring legacy in American furniture design.
David Roentgen was a famous German cabinetmaker of the eighteenth century, famed throughout Europe for his marquetry and his secret drawers and poes and mechanical fittings. His work embraces the late Rococo and the Neoclassical styles.
Jean Prouvé was a French metal worker, self-taught architect and designer. Le Corbusier designated Prouvé a constructeur, blending architecture and engineering. Prouvé's main achievement was transferring manufacturing technology from industry to architecture, without losing aesthetic qualities. His design skills were not limited to one discipline. During his career Jean Prouvé was involved in architectural design, industrial design, structural design and furniture design.
Jean Prouvé was a French metal worker, self-taught architect and designer. Le Corbusier designated Prouvé a constructeur, blending architecture and engineering. Prouvé's main achievement was transferring manufacturing technology from industry to architecture, without losing aesthetic qualities. His design skills were not limited to one discipline. During his career Jean Prouvé was involved in architectural design, industrial design, structural design and furniture design.
Martin Szekely is a French designer, the son of Hungarian immigrants.
Martin Szekely's work is characterised by a desire for the simplest possible expression of the object while respecting functional priorities.
He was named Designer of the Year at the 1987 Paris Furniture Fair and received the Alfred Dunhill Outstanding Designer of the Year award in 1999.
Martin Szekely is a French designer, the son of Hungarian immigrants.
Martin Szekely's work is characterised by a desire for the simplest possible expression of the object while respecting functional priorities.
He was named Designer of the Year at the 1987 Paris Furniture Fair and received the Alfred Dunhill Outstanding Designer of the Year award in 1999.
Adam Weisweiler was a distinguished French cabinetmaker, renowned for his exceptional creations that resonated deeply with the culture and art of his time. Originating from Germany, Weisweiler moved to Paris, where he became an emblematic figure in the realm of fine furniture making during the late 18th century. His specialization in crafting exquisite pieces, often adorned with intricate marquetry and mounted with elegant bronzes, set new standards in the world of decorative arts.
Weisweiler's work is celebrated for its refined elegance and the harmonious blend of functionality with aesthetic appeal. His ability to incorporate elements of sculpture and painting into his furniture designs elevated the pieces from mere objects of utility to cherished works of art. The meticulous attention to detail and the innovative use of materials like ebony and mahogany, coupled with his mastery over the classical motifs, made his creations highly sought after by the aristocracy and collectors alike.
Several of Adam Weisweiler's masterpieces find their homes in prestigious museums and galleries around the world, serving as testaments to his enduring legacy in the art and antiques sphere. His contributions to the field have not only enriched the cultural heritage of France but have also left an indelible mark on the global appreciation of fine antique furniture.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Adam Weisweiler's work represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and artistic vision. His creations continue to inspire and captivate, embodying the quintessence of French decorative arts. To stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to Adam Weisweiler, we invite you to sign up for updates. This subscription ensures you are always in the know, without any unwelcome intrusions, focusing solely on opportunities to acquire pieces linked to this illustrious artist's legacy.
Jacques Dubois was a master cabinetmaker of the 18th century.
He was the king's cabinetmaker and also worked for Princess Louise Elisabeth, the Duchess of Parma, the Duke of Orleans and the nobility of the time.
He was one of the masters of the Louis XV style, a specialist in varnished veneers, reproducing the effects of Far Eastern lacquers, with black or red backgrounds, decorated with Chinese and pagodas, of a very high quality.
He also executed the delicately chiselled bronzes applied to his furniture.
Adam Weisweiler was a distinguished French cabinetmaker, renowned for his exceptional creations that resonated deeply with the culture and art of his time. Originating from Germany, Weisweiler moved to Paris, where he became an emblematic figure in the realm of fine furniture making during the late 18th century. His specialization in crafting exquisite pieces, often adorned with intricate marquetry and mounted with elegant bronzes, set new standards in the world of decorative arts.
Weisweiler's work is celebrated for its refined elegance and the harmonious blend of functionality with aesthetic appeal. His ability to incorporate elements of sculpture and painting into his furniture designs elevated the pieces from mere objects of utility to cherished works of art. The meticulous attention to detail and the innovative use of materials like ebony and mahogany, coupled with his mastery over the classical motifs, made his creations highly sought after by the aristocracy and collectors alike.
Several of Adam Weisweiler's masterpieces find their homes in prestigious museums and galleries around the world, serving as testaments to his enduring legacy in the art and antiques sphere. His contributions to the field have not only enriched the cultural heritage of France but have also left an indelible mark on the global appreciation of fine antique furniture.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Adam Weisweiler's work represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and artistic vision. His creations continue to inspire and captivate, embodying the quintessence of French decorative arts. To stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to Adam Weisweiler, we invite you to sign up for updates. This subscription ensures you are always in the know, without any unwelcome intrusions, focusing solely on opportunities to acquire pieces linked to this illustrious artist's legacy.
