19th Century Jean-Baptiste Gamichon Mahogany Desk

Description

This is a French antique bonheur du jour by Jean-Baptiste Gamichon dating to circa 1810.

A piece for the connoisseur, … more This is a French antique bonheur du jour by Jean-Baptiste Gamichon dating to circa 1810.

A piece for the connoisseur, rare and sought after, this exquisite cabinet is offered to the market in an original and gloriously unrestored condition.

Jean-Baptiste Gamichon (1760-1835) was a French cabinet maker based in Paris, working right at the start and through the Revolution. His workshops were in rue Mauconseil and later rue de Cléry, from 1790 until 1805 and Gamichon represented one of the few remaining great, French cabinet makers in a declining industry.

Working predominantly in the finest mahogany available, few examples of his work are seen. Certainly his work came highly acclaimed, in 1811 his name was on a list recommended and recorded to the Imperial Garde-Meuble who acquired pieces directly from the best cabinet makers, storing them to supply Imperial palaces, chateaus, government buildings and embassies when required.

Most known pieces by Gamichon are in the Empire style and, with the removal of Guild Privileges, allowed him to mark his pieces; most marked with a stamp ‘GAMICHON A PARIS’ usually either side of a lock (on a drawer for instance).

This piece sits upon brass ball cup feet and is raised on tapering, circular section legs capped with brass rings with satinwood highlight to the corners of the frieze.

The frieze drawer opens to reveal an inset leather writing surface that further slides to reveal a divided storage area beneath.

The tabletop is edge molded in brass trim beneath a raked, mirrored drop flap compartment above twin drawers; the working lock securing both the compartment and drawers.

Above, a pair of drawers sit beneath a mirrored cupboard closing with a brass strip dressing the join. Inside a single shelf divides the space with the rear of the doors dressed with rouched silk panels.

The original mercury glass sparkles through heavy foxing in the upper mirrors (lower flap mirrors are an historic replacement) and the beaded decoration is largely complete save for the right hand side. Brass pulls dressing the drawers.

Solid joints and construction, delivered ready for the home.

Dimensions:
Max width 84cm (33'')
Max depth 51cm (20'')
Max height 147cm (57.75'')

Drawer desk height 66cm (26"). less