Empire Chest of Drawers by Jacob Freres, Paris, 1800s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

Empire chest of drawers stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée

Paris
Mahogany
around 1800

Dimensions: H x W x D: 92 x 131 x 63 cm

Four carved, bronze-patinated paw feet support the minimalist furniture body with two large drawers and two smaller drawers above them, framed by gilded brass profiles.
A light grey marble top with white veins and a cast, fire-gilt openwork bronze gallery forms the upper end. The signature is on the front left under the plate: JACOB FRÈRES RUE MESLÉE.

The body is constructed with a frame and panelled construction and, like the drawers, is very neatly crafted from oak.
In addition to the excellent craftsmanship, the balanced proportions of the chest of drawers are impressive. The cubist, almost modern appearance of the piece of furniture was stylistically far ahead of its time.
Silky iridescent, calmly grained mahogany veneer forms the background against which the lines emphasised by the gilded mouldings come into their own. The deliberate omission of additional fittings - the drawers are only pulled with keys - increases the tension created by the contrast between the empty surfaces and the opulent gilded mouldings.

The design of the chest of drawers probably goes back to a model by Charles Percier (1764-1838), who had been working with Georges Jacob I since he furnished the Convent in the Tuileries Palace in 1792. The latter handed his business over to his sons Georges II and Francois Jacob in 1796, who ran it under the name "Jacob Frères, Rue Meslée" until the death of Georges II in 1803 and stamped their furniture accordingly.

Provenance:
The piece of furniture offered here was auctioned at Christie's London on 5 July 2007, lot 88. Result: 27000,- Euro incl. buyer's premium.

Condition:
The chest of drawers is in a well-kept, ready-to-live-in condition with beautiful age patina. Three keys are present.

You can find out more about the works of the Jacob family in the literature:
Denise Ledoux-Lebard - Le Mobilier Francais du XIXe Siecle from p. 267

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Creator	Jacob Freres Rue Meslee
Manufacturer	Jacob Freres Rue Meslee
Design Period	Before 1890
Year	1800
Production Period	Before 1890
Country of Manufacture	France
Identifying Marks	This piece has an attribution mark
Style	Empire
Detailed Condition	Very Good — This vintage/antique item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use.
Restoration and Damage Details	Light wear consistent with age and use, Patina consistent with age and use, Surface has been refinished, Three keys are present
Product Code	ZLE-1860056
Materials	Mahogany, Marble
Color	Gold, grey
Width	131 cm 51.6 inch
Depth	63 cm 24.8 inch
Height	92 cm 36.2 inch
Weight Range	Standard — Between 40kg and 80kg
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Germany
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.
Returns	Returns accepted within fourteen days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

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Delivery Options

Front Door Delivery: (Included in Every Order)	A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below). The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.
In-Home Delivery: (For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)	A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers. The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.

Front Door Delivery:
(Included in Every Order)

A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below).
The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

In-Home Delivery:
(For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)

A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers.
The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine every order upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damage or missing or incorrect pieces, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations of missing, damaged, or incorrect item(s) represents your acceptance of the complete order in perfect condition.