Furniture makers 19th century
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.
Emile Gallé was a French artist and designer who worked in glass, and is considered to be one of the major innovators in the French Art Nouveau movement. He was noted for his designs of Art Nouveau glass art and Art Nouveau furniture, and was a founder of the École de Nancy or Nancy School, a movement of design in the city of Nancy, France.
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.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a prominent Scottish artist, architect and designer who had a major influence on the development of modernism and global art in the early twentieth century. He was the founder and head of the Glasgow School of Art.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh's style was unique and recognisable. He created elegant and harmonious works reflecting influences from Japanese art, the Gothic style and abstract forms. His works included architectural designs, furniture, paintings, graphics and even decorative objects.
Mackintosh became known for his innovative approach to architecture and design. His buildings were characterised by their refined lines, geometric shapes and use of light and space. His work was an important contribution to the development of modernism and functionalism in architecture.
He was also famous for his ability to combine different materials and textures to create unique and aesthetically pleasing designs. Mackintosh was a master of minimalism and elegance, giving his works a unique style and character.
Louis Majorelle was a prominent French artist, cabinetmaker, furniture designer, and a leading figure of the Art Nouveau movement. Trained initially as a painter, Majorelle shifted focus to furniture design, taking over his family's business and emerging as a dynamic force within the École de Nancy.
Louis Majorelle was instrumental in the Art Nouveau style's development, known for his innovative and nature-inspired designs. He was one of the founding members of the École de Nancy, a collective that aimed to promote Lorraine's decorative arts. Louis Majorelle's work, particularly in furniture and interior design, showcased his skill in integrating natural forms with functional pieces. His use of materials such as mahogany and his incorporation of floral and organic motifs were distinctive of his work. Notably, Majorelle's Nénuphar bed, displaying water lily motifs, stands as a testament to his design philosophy and can be seen at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
The Villa Majorelle, his own residence in Nancy, serves as an embodiment of Art Nouveau architecture, featuring intricate ironwork and woodwork crafted by Louis Majorelle himself. This house not only served as his home but also as a beacon of Art Nouveau's architectural potential, showcasing the movement's aesthetic in a living environment.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Louis Majorelle's work represents the pinnacle of Art Nouveau's embrace of naturalistic designs and the seamless blend of art and craftsmanship. His contributions to the movement have left an indelible mark on the history of decorative arts.
To stay informed about new discoveries and interpretations related to Louis Majorelle and his era, signing up for updates is highly recommended. This subscription will ensure you're alerted to new product sales, auction events, and exhibitions related to this significant figure in art and design history.
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.
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, (sometimes called Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann), was a French furniture designer and interior decorator, who was one of the most important figures in the Art Deco movement. His furniture featured sleek designs, expensive and exotic materials and extremely fine craftsmanship, and became a symbol of the luxury and modernity of Art Deco. It also produced a reaction from other designers and architects, such as Le Corbusier, who called for simpler, functional furniture.
Thomas Sheraton was a furniture designer, one of the «big three» English furniture makers of the 18th century, along with Thomas Chippendale and George Hepplewhite. Sheraton gave his name to a style of furniture characterized by a feminine refinement of late Georgian styles and became the most powerful source of inspiration behind the furniture of the late 18th century.
Gustav Stickley was an American furniture designer, architect, and leader of the American Arts and Crafts movement. He is renowned for his contribution to the design and production of high-quality, handcrafted furniture that emphasized simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship.
In 1898, he established his own furniture company called the Gustav Stickley Company, later known as Craftsman Workshops. Stickley's furniture designs became synonymous with the Craftsman style, which advocated for well-crafted, and functional pieces.
One of Stickley's most iconic furniture designs was the Morris chair, which became synonymous with the Craftsman movement. The Morris chair featured a reclining back, adjustable angles, and typically incorporated cushioned upholstery.
Stickley's furniture designs were characterized by sturdy construction, visible joinery, and the use of native American woods. He emphasized the beauty of natural materials and the integrity of the craftsman's handwork. Stickley's designs were a reaction against the ornate and mass-produced furniture of the time, and he sought to bring back traditional craftsmanship and simplicity.
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.
Otto Leonard Wretling (Swedish: Otto Leonard Wretling) is a Swedish visual artist, architect, designer and furniture manufacturer.
In 1928, the carpentry company Otto Wretling was chosen as the Royal Court Furniture Supplier by King Gustav V.