Known for his elaborately carved chinoiserie and Japonisme furniture inspired by East Asian motifs, Gabriel Viardot was one of France’s most famous cabinetmakers during the late 19th century.
Viardot’s career began in 1849 as a woodcarver for Maison Jeanselme, cabinetmakers to the court of Napoleon III. Shortly after, at age 19, Viardot opened his own business, designing and creating small furniture and decorative objects.
In 1853, Viardot’s enterprise grew into a factory and store, Viardot Frères et Cie, which he operated with his brother Alexandre Laurent. The brothers enjoyed moderate success with their finely sculpted pieces and objects, winning a bronze medal at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris. However, the two parted ways the following year. Alexandre Laurent kept the company, while Viardot began his own firm, called G. Viardot.
Throughout the late 1860s and ’70s, Viardot dedicated himself to designing and producing chinoiserie and Japonisme furniture. Many of his pieces, such as side tables, consoles, pedestal tables and chairs, feature exquisite embellishments in mother-of-pearl, ivory and gilt-bronze and are made with lacquered and embossed panels imported directly from China and Japan. (The art of Japanese lacquer goes back some 9,000 years.) Some of Viardot’s most sculptural creations are his full-length floor mirrors and wall mirrors framed with carved mahogany dragons and cherubs.
Viardot participated in numerous major European exhibitions and fairs, scooping up medals and accolades for his pieces. In 1867, he won four medals at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, followed by a silver medal and gold medal at Antwerp’s Universal Exposition in 1878 and 1884, respectively. He also won gold medals at Paris’s Exposition Universelle in 1889 and 1900. In 1885, Viardot was named Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur.
By 1880, Viardot’s company had become one of the largest furniture manufacturers in Paris, with up to 100 sculptors and cabinetmakers employed. Following his death in 1906, Viardot’s son Gabriel Léon Jules Viardot and son-in-law Georges Isidore Jean Dupont took over operations. However, competition from other furniture makers and the rise of Art Nouveau led to the company’s eventual closure.
Viardot’s pieces continue to be highly sought by interior designers and collectors of late 19th-century furniture.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of antique Gabriel Viardot mirrors, tables and decorative objects.
$2,431Sale Price|20% Off
Dragon mirror, by Gabriel Viardot, Japonisme, France, Circa 1880
By Gabriel Viardot
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
By Gabriel Viardot. Gabriel Viardot (January 2, 1830 in Paris - March 19, 1904 in Paris) is a Parisian cabinetmaker specializing in the production of furniture freely interpreted "C...
Mirror, Wood
Antique French Carved Wood Dragon Mirror Attributed to Gabriel Viardot
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Antique French Chinoiserie mirror, hand-carved stained pine frame, attributed to Gabriel Viardot, c. 1860s. The asymmetrical, dynamic Chinoiserie ornament and refined carving reflect...
Mirror, Wood
French Brass Table Mirror with Adjustable Frame, Circa 1930s
Located in Paris, FR
A fantastic French circa 1930s table mirror framed in solid brass, featuring an adjustable tilting mechanism. Its refined design includes decorative finials making it a timeless addi...
Brass
$7,161
H 23.23 in W 20.48 in D 4.73 in
Gabriel Viardot 19th Century Carved Wooden Dragon Crescent Mirror
By Gabriel Viardot
Located in Hastings, GB
This rare and exceptionally detailed bevelled crescent moon mirror is an iconic example of the Japonisme movement, attributed to the renowned 19th...
Mirror, Sycamore
$2,925
H 27.17 in W 24.41 in D 5.91 in
Victorian Mirror with Carved Dragon in the Manner of Gabriel Viardot ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Victorian Mirror with Carved Dragon in the Manner of Gabriel Viardot ca. 1880 A great Victorian dragon mirror in the style of Gabriel Viardot. The mirror in oval shape is held by a ...
Mirror, Wood
French Empire Dressing Mirror, Circa 1830
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An antique French Empire mahogany dressing mirror dating to the early 19th century, constructed with a rectangular tilting mirror supported by upright posts on a stepped base. The fr...
Bronze
$1,600 / set
H 15.5 in W 9.625 in D 0.375 in
Pair of French Bronze Dore Mirrors with Mascarons and Floral Motifs, circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of small bronze doré mirrors are from France, circa 1880, and were made in the style of Louis XIV. The intricate bronze doré frames have a large cartouche at the top of the frame that depicts a mascaron with a floral headband...
Bronze
$1,905
H 10.24 in W 7.88 in D 1.58 in
"Champleve" Enamel Table Mirror Attributed to A. Giroux, France, circa 1880
By Alphonse Giroux et Cie
Located in PARIS, FR
A lovely oval gilded bronze table mirror, adorned with a polychrome “champlevé” enamel decor made of stylized flowers and beautiful gilded bronze mounts with putti, palms and garlands of flowers. Alphonse Giroux and Company, famous curiosity and luxury goods shop was situated at No. 7 rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré and in business from the time of the Consulate until the end of the Second Empire. The company was founded by Francois-Simon-Alphonse and continued in 1838 by his two sons, Alphonse-Gustave (1810-1886) and André (1801-1879). The father became a close associate of the royal family and specialized in the manufacture of refined items for gifts, winning a silver medal at the in 1834. Kings Louis XVIII and then Charles X were both supplied with gifts for « The Children of France » by Giroux. Making progressively small furniture, they were mentioned for the first time in 1837 in the class « cabinet...
Bronze, Enamel
$607Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.63 in W 14.18 in D 8.27 in
Large Victorian Brass Table Mirror, 1880s, England
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large brass Victorian tilting table mirror. Great looking piece. Still complete and working.
Brass
1880s Mahogany Shaving Mirror
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1880s Mahogany shaving mirror.
Wood
Pierre Vandel Table Mirror, Aluminium, French Piece circa 1970
By Pierre Vandel
Located in BELFORT, FR
Very rare and sought table mirror from the french designer Pierre Vandel. He designed it in the early 70's, at the very beginning of its work. It is made of bended and brushed alumin...
Aluminum
French Gilt Carved Wood Floral Mirror, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
French gilt carved wood circular mirror with intertwined decorative floral and cross hatching motif. Mirror retains the original glass. Early 19th century.
Antique French Cloissone Mirror circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Cloissone Mirror circa 1890
Mirror