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19th Century French Mahogany and Ormolu Bookcase in the Empire Style

About the Item

An exceptional and fine library breakfront bookcase by Antoine Krieger of Paris In the Empire taste, this wonderful piece shows careful selection of matched flame mahogany veneers, contrasted by finely chiselled mercury gilded ormolu bronze mounts. The glazed, four door upper section is surmounted by ormolu laurel wreath victory garlands, and acanthus leaves to the cornice, the lower four blind doors having central caduceus mounts, emblematic of Mercury’s staff; the outer doors showing central Apollo masks, with acanthus leaves in a cruciform pattern; the cornered motifs being rosettes with conforming acanthus leaves; the pilaster columns are capped by stylised Tuscan capitals. The four oak lined drawers have Grecian Lyre backplates to the handles, and the locks are signed by the maker. The bookcase is elevated on toupie ‘cotton reel’ feet. The very finest workmanship has gone into this piece, as evinced by the ethereal ‘gold dust’ ormolu mounts, with the crispest of ciselure, and the breathtaking quality of the mahogany veneers. This piece, originally conceived by Percier and Fontaine, adopting the decoration from the Antique, is signed by Antoine Krieger of Paris. Circa 1860 Percier and Fontaine published in 1812 the ‘bon ton’ design collection, ‘Recueil des Decorations Interieurs’, which laid down the principles and tenets of the Empire Style, which reflected the zeitgeist of Napoleon’s France. Antoine Krieger. Of German origin, he was established as an ebeniste in Paris in 1826, and the house was settled in the Rue Faubourg de St. Antoine in 1838. At the Universal Exhibition of 1852 in London, he took a medal for the excellence of his work. He was a noted exhibitor at the Universal Exposition in 1855 in Paris. The company traded until his death in 1860.
  • Creator:
    Antoine Krieger (Cabinetmaker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 112.5 in (285.75 cm)Width: 125 in (317.5 cm)Depth: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)
  • Style:
    Empire (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1860
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 62891stDibs: LU95479255313
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