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Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Louis XV style table in ebonized pear wood inlaid with porcelain marquetry

Bibliography: Masterpieces of Marquetry in the 19th century. Patents. Rivart, Cremer, Fourdinois, Kayser Sohn et Duvinage, Marc Maison et Emmanuelle Arnauld, Ed. Faton, 2012, p. 35. This superb violin-shaped table in the Louis XV style was decorated with porcelain marquetry by Julien-Nicolas Rivart . The depth of the black color of the wood is heightened by the precious quality of the colors used in the center of the top: a bouquet containing a great variety of flowers (coreopsis, oleander, convolvulus, roses, etc.) was realized in painted porcelain marquetry according to the process invented by Rivart . The artist was especially attentive to the rendering of each flower that was delicately designed without repetition, accentuating the great naturalism of the composition and giving the impression of a real bouquet of flowers set upon the table. The inlay of the porcelain pieces, notably for the leaves, is directly inspired by Florentine hardstone marquetry and this technique heightens the realistic aspect of the motifs while creating a striking contrast between the different shades of light and dark. Rivart made several tables decorated using porcelain marquetry and this piece owes its great originality to the motif of a bouquet placed on the center of a table that is large in size. This piece differs from other tables by Rivart where garlands of flowers run along the top, as on the one made for the Count of Manneville, kept at the Cité de la Céramique de Sèvres. The artist who painted the porcelain flowers for this table did not sign them. However, it is possible to attribute the work to Pierre-Joseph Guérou , a painter who worked at the Sèvres porcelain factory and whose signature appears on several pieces of furniture by Rivart , such as the jewel cabinet at the Château de Compiègne. As he specialized in painted porcelain plaques, he participated several times in the salons between 1836 and 1865. The treatment of the flowers, in fading tones, seems characteristic of Guérou's painting and attests to the complete mastery of the artist. Inspired by the porcelain plaques fashionable in the 18th century, as well as by Florentine hardstone mosaics, Julien-Nicolas Rivart understood how to develop an innovative technique that totally revitalized the use of porcelain by inlaying it as true marquetry, where each element is independent. Rivart 's porcelain marquetry won awards several times at international exhibitions and this process was particularly praised by critics – French as well as English. Rivart's technique, considered "one of the most important innovations for the decoration of furniture" was universally acclaimed for its charm. Rivart took out a patent on his invention in 1849, thus keeping the exclusivity on this process and producing limited quantities of exceptional pieces of furniture. The beauty of materials, the delicacy of colors and a rare decorative concept are the factors that make this table an exceptional piece of furniture and bears witness to this virtuoso process that spreads over the surface of furniture "the magic that comes from a bouquet of kaolin" (Auguste Luchet, L'Art industriel à l'Exposition de 1867).

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Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Curved writing desk with lozenges marquetry And flowers bouquet in porcelain inlay

This charming writing desk is designed in curves : the rounded feet follows a movement that also curves the sides of the chest. On this one, the rosewood has been plaited in a nice work of marquetry in lozenges. The elegant sobriety of black and gold highlights the luminosity of the rosewood veneer, the false marble, and the vivid colors of the porcelain flowers. Auguste Luchet evoked with lyricism "the magic that comes from a bouquet in kaolin on a black background" like on our desk. The chest is indeed graciously decorated with Julien-Nicolas Rivart 's porcelains. He is the inventor of the porcelain marquetry technique, a unique process, searched for a long time and patented in 1849, he was the only one to master. We have here a beautiful example of these rare decorations with a bouquet of roses, white campanulas, pansies, tulip and forget-me-nots. The shelf is adorned as well by a beautiful frieze of wild flowers. Rivart , a skillful artist, achieved an aesthetic synthesis between the Florentine hard stone marquetry and the decoration of porcelain slabs from 18th century. He can hence combine the lightness of marquetry and its sophisticated contrasts effects, with the charm of painting on porcelain. The marquetry invented by Rivart enables these sophisticated hues to contrast directly with the wood, and prevents to hide the veins and the cabinetmaker's beautiful work. For that reason, at the World's Fairs of 1851, 1855 and 1867, this technique is described as "a delicious process", "yet more beautiful than beautiful", and receives the Emperor Napoleon III's congratulations. Open, the desk offers its beautiful rose wood veneers and its mahogany lozenges marquetry. The chest includes two shelves and five drawers equipped with gilt bronze vegetable shaped handles. At last, the shelf is embellished by an embossed and gilt leather blotter.

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Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Writing desk with gilt bronze espagnolettes and porcelain marquetry decoration

This elegant writing desk is built in a beautiful dark and warm wood, enhanced by gilt bronze ornaments and flower porcelain by Julien-Nicolas Rivart . Inventor, in 1849, of the porcelain marquetry technique, he was then the only one to master this unique and long sought process. We have here an example of these rare decorations with a bouquet of roses and white campanulas on a rosewood background.

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Alphonse GIROUX et cie and Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Gorgeous writing desk with espagnolettes and decoration of roses in porcelain inlays

A rare example of Rivart 's collaboration with the prestigious Alphonse Giroux et Cie manufactory, this piece of furniture stands out for its sophistication. The hues of brown obtained by various woods give this precious work a great luminosity. The feet are adorned with gilt bronze espagnolettes of very fine manufacture, and the shelf on top of it is framed by an openwork balcony. Founded by François-Simon-Alphonse Giroux in 1799, this shop turned to cabinetmaking as early as 1834 under the name "Alphonse Giroux". He begins under the Restoration to receive commissions of gifts from Kings Louis-Philippe and Charles X to the "Children of France". The sons Alphonse-Gustave and André Giroux took over the business in 1838, which then became "Alphonse Giroux et Cie" until its absorption by Duvinage in 1867. At the World's Fair of 1855 , the Empress Eugénie bought them a "bonheur du jour" desk. In collaboration with Susse Frères, they are the exclusive manufacturers of the first daguerreotype cameras as soon as 1839. Alphonse Giroux and Cie was famous thus under the Restoration and then the Second Empire , at which time they supplied the members of the Imperial court, especially in the trade of writing furniture, as this desk bears witness. Desiring to remain at the forefront of decorative techniques, Giroux collaborated here with Julien-Nicolas Rivart who had patented his porcelain marquetry process in 1849. This piece of furniture demonstrates once more the importance of these porcelain decorations, prized by the most prominent cabinetmakers. This writing desk is all the more interesting for it is the first time that a collaboration between Rivart and Giroux is attested. The dominant brown and gold tone is only broken by the flowers of fresh colors provided by Julien-Nicolas Rivart . This beautiful decoration depicts here a bouquet of roses and buttercups on the chest, and a beautiful frieze of morning glories on the shelf. Opening with a key, the chest of this writing desk offers a large shelf and three drawers with handles in gilt bronze, decorated with wooden marquetry patterns. The writing shelf, of curved forms, is lined with a caramel-colored leather blotter.