Ref.11417
Maison Soubrier, Pair of chairs with fan-shaped backs

This pair of chairs inspired by Japanese art was made by the Maison Soubrier in the late 19th century. The Maison Soubrier was founded in 1848. It specialised in creating furniture in the ancient styles, then followed the trend for Far Eastern art with Japanese-style furniture. In the 1970s, furniture, paintings and decorations rental took over from cabinetmaking, and it is still in this field that the company continues today. This richly decorated pair of chairs is inspired by Far Eastern art. The legs and struts feature curves and floral and geometric ornamentation reminiscent of Japanese art. Each backrest is decorated with a fan, the ends of which are held in place by two crane heads. A dragon emerges from the fan and blends harmoniously with the vegetation occupying the lower part of the back. The chairs work in pairs: their backs are symmetrical. The Soubrier archives contain a photograph of a chair whose ornamentation is identical, apart from a few details, to that of our two chairs. These chairs are typical of the fashion for Japonism in France at the end of the 19th century.

Ref.12791
Gabriel VIARDOT, Japanese display case with chimera feet and mother-of-pearl decoration

This beautiful display case was made circa 1880-1890 by the famous French furniture maker from the late 19th century, Gabriel Viardot (1830-1904), as indicates the signature. The display part can be opened with a glass door and shows three shelves on a red velvet background. Its pediment taking the shape of a pagoda roof is adorned with polished varnished bronze chimera, frequent element on the Viardot's production. The furniture, made with tinted sycamore is adorned with a delicate decoration of inlaid Tonkin mother-of-pearl forming cherry tree branches with animals and insects. The belt canbe opened as a drawer but can also be transformed into a writing desk by taking down the facade. The whole is supported by two sculpted chimera feet and lays on a base with four small feet. Gabriel Viardot became famous from the 1870 with his production of furniture inspired by the Asiatic ones, of which he makes his specialty. He takes his inspiration from the 1867 Worlds's Fair where Japan participates for the first time. His very characteristic furniture production was sometimes inlaid with Tonkin mother-of-pearl as it is the case on our display case, but always made with tinted sycamore wood.

Ref.14555
Pair of Louis XV period door overmantels depicting scenes from the life of Venus