Cabinetmakers
André-Charles Boulle, a French artist and cabinetmaker, was celebrated for his mastery in marquetry, a decorative technique involving inlaid veneers of wood, metal, and tortoiseshell. Born in Paris in 1642, Boulle's work defined luxury and sophistication in 17th and 18th-century French furniture, earning him the title of "Premier ébéniste du Roi" under Louis XIV. His contributions to art and culture extend beyond mere craftsmanship, embodying the opulence of the Louis XIV style and influencing European decorative arts profoundly.
Boulle's innovative techniques, particularly his unique use of marquetry, known as "Boulle work," involved intricate patterns of brass, pewter, and tortoiseshell, setting new standards for furniture design. This approach allowed him to create stunning visual effects, with his creations including clocks, cabinets, and tables that showcased both artistic flair and technical brilliance. His work, characterized by elaborate motifs and an exceptional blend of materials, is regarded as the epitome of Baroque artistry, blending sculpture, painting, and architecture into functional objects of beauty.
Several of Boulle's masterpieces are preserved in prestigious museums, such as the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles, where they continue to captivate visitors with their intricate details and historical significance. Notable works attributed to him, like the intricate coffers on stands and monumental cabinets housed in the J. Paul Getty Museum, reflect his role as a "painter in wood," celebrating French military victories and the grandeur of the Sun King's court. These pieces, never signed but attributed to him based on stylistic elements and historical records, highlight Boulle's innovative use of materials and his impact on the decorative arts.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, André-Charles Boulle's work represents the zenith of French decorative arts. His legacy is not only in the beauty of his creations but also in the techniques he perfected, which continue to inspire contemporary designers and craftsmen. Those interested in the elegance and history of Boulle's work are encouraged to sign up for updates on new product sales and auction events related to this iconic artist. This subscription offers a unique opportunity to connect with the world of André-Charles Boulle, ensuring enthusiasts are informed of the latest discoveries and offerings that celebrate his enduring influence on culture, art, and design.
Martin Carlin was a Parisian ébéniste (cabinet-maker). Renowned for his "graceful furniture mounted with Sèvres porcelain", Carlin fed into the luxury market of eighteenth-century decorative arts, where porcelain-fitted furniture was considered among "the most exquisite furnishings" within the transitional and neoclassical styles. Carlin's furniture was popular amongst the main great dealers, including Poirier, Daguerre, and Darnault, who sold his furniture to Marie Antoinette and many amongst the social elite class.
Henry Dasson was a renowned nineteenth century Parisian maker of gilt-bronze mounted furniture. Unlike other cabinetmakers of the time Dasson began his career as a bronze sculptor, and consequently one characteristic of his work is the quality of his bronze and more precisely of the chiselling.
He specialised in the production of Louis XIV, XV and XVI style furniture using the finest gilt-bronze mounts.
René Dubois was a French cabinetmaker and furniture designer. He followed his father Jacques Dubois, becoming a master ébéniste when he was only eighteen years old. René Dubois continued to work for his father and directed the family workshop with his mother after Jacques's death in 1763. Nine years later Dubois's mother relinquished control of the workshop, selling the existing stock to her son, who agreed to pay her an annuity.
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.
Jean-Charles Ellaume was a French cabinetmaker.
The craftsman produced numerous pieces of high-quality furniture, mainly chests of drawers and desks, in the Louis XV, Regency and Louis XVI styles. The bronze decorations are elegant and finely chiselled and some of the furniture is decorated with inlays.
Many pieces of furniture are known to bear his stamp.
Nicolas-Quinibert Foliot was an 18th century French cabinetmaker. He was the supplier of furniture for the castles of Versailles, Fontainebleau and Compiègne.
All of his works are distinguished by luxury. The lines are balanced and elegant, the carvings are numerous and executed subtly and tastefully.
Étienne-Louis Infroit was an 18th-century French cabinetmaker and sculptor. He made carved frames with picture frames. He quickly became famous and stamped all of his works. His frames varied in form and combination and were chosen specifically for the works of artists of the time.
Gilles Joubert was a French furniture maker who, after the death of Jean-François Oeben in 1763, received the title of royal cabinetmaker. He produced Rococo cabinet furniture in which gilded bronze mounts were integrated into furniture forms with subtle three-dimensional curves (bombé).
Jean-Pierre Latz was one of the handful of truly outstanding cabinetmakers (ébénistes) working in Paris in the mid-18th century. Like several of his peers in the French capital, he was of German origin. His furniture is in a fully developed rococo style, employing boldly sculptural gilt-bronze mounts complementing marquetry motifs of flowers and leafy sprays, in figured tropical veneers like tulipwood, amarante, purpleheart and rosewood, often featuring the distinctive end-grain cuts.
Jean-François Leleu was a leading French furniture-maker (ébéniste) of the eighteenth century who was trained alongside his rival Jean-Henri Riesener, in the workshop of Jean-François Oeben. After his master's death, he became the workshop's lead and became a master ébéniste in 1764. Leleu had the patronage of wealthy aristocrats, including the Prince de Condé, Louis-Joseph de Bourbon. His furniture was known for its high quality, elegance, and restraint, with inlays of diamonds, roses, or floral bouquets. When working for marchands-merciers, he also used inlays of Sèvres porcelain and lacquer. Leleu's clients included the Prince de Condé and Madame du Barry.
Bernard Molitor was a Luxembourgish cabinet-maker.
Molitor's furniture was often veneered with precious woods and decorated with applications of gilded bronze. Napoleon Bonaparte ordered several pieces of furniture for his residence in Saint-Cloud from him. In 1811, Molitor became fournisseur de la Cour impériale (purveyor to the imperial court).
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.
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.
