A stunning mahogany “straight sofa” from the early empire period, in the Egyptian revival style, attributed to the firm, Jacob-Desmalter, which was responsible for making Napoleon’s thrones. This palatial piece could at least be seen as a “throne for four,” as they were conceived for show and momentary sitting in large reception rooms or long galleries of official residences. A desk of a similar nature, but by master furniture maker Pierre-Antoine Bellangé who notably furnished the White House in 1817, is conserved Paris’s Marmottan Museum. The sofa, like many pieces from this period is unsigned (mandatory stamping of pieces having been abolished), but it is only logical to attribute it to one of the top workshops of the period.

This type of furniture is one of the rarest and most coveted types of empire furniture, in its use of full scale sculpted griffons or in this case sphinxes. Naturally, the Egyptian revival style loosely corresponds to the time of Napoleon’s Egypt Campaign (1798-1801), but this style is technically be referred to as “consulate.” At the time (1799-1804), France was ruled by three consuls, one of whom was Napoleon. These impressive works are, however, simply grouped under the umbrella of “empire” furniture. This term applies to the stark and powerful neoclassical style that emerged at the end of the 18th century and which remained in vogue until 1815. Such pieces today have ended up rather timeless, prized for their flare and compelling integration into contemporary spaces.

This one was likely ordered in a series of four, or a pair, and it retains two paper labels from the period which at one point might have revealed its original home. In any case, these unusual sofas are associated with official government use, or at least with the impressive interiors of personalities close to court at the time.

One of its most charming aspects is the subtle carving under the wings of the sphinxes, simulating rib-cages, giving the impression that they are alive, that they might, god forbid, wander off!

(Extensive YouTube Presentation Link)

Length: 102 Inches, Height: 42 Inches, Depth: 29 Inches

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