A French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period mahogany, ormolu and leather desk, signed Henry Dasson 1877
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period mahogany, ormolu and leather desk, signed Henry Dasson 1877. The desk is raised by elegant circular tapered legs with beautiful fitted foliate sabots and impressive... — Read More
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period mahogany, ormolu and leather desk, signed Henry Dasson 1877. The desk is raised by elegant circular tapered legs with beautiful fitted foliate sabots and impressive and most unique capital designed top caps with richly chased swaging floral garlands. Above each leg are finely detailed ormolu mounts of blindfolded maidens. The frieze at each side is decorated with a stunning array of intricately detailed fitted foliate chandelles in a striking satin and burnished finish. The chandelles alternate in design and each display fine attention to detail and are framed within a mottled and beaded ormolu band. At the front is one drawer centered by an impressive and wonderfully executed swaging fabric with a charming fringe and tassels tied at the center and hung from delicate rosettes. Above is the original burgundy colored gold tooled fitted leather writing surface framed within a warm mahogany border and displaying a most elegant pierced ormolu gallery at the border. — Read Less
- Item # 10777
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H: 31.5 in L: 43.25 in D: 23.75 in
H: 80 cm L: 110 cm D: 60 cm
- France
- 19th Century
- Leather, Mahogany, Ormolu
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Belle Époque Period Read More,
Louis XVI st. Read More
(Belle Époque Period) -
Gaining its name from the optimistic and peaceful period of time between 1871 and World War I, Belle Epoque means “beautiful period”, and occurred during the era of the Third French Republic. This period of economic, colonial, and scientific prosperity brought with it a flourishing artistic climate with numerous literal, musical, theatrical, and visual masterpieces being created.
The Eiffel Tower, which was constructed between 1887 and 1889, served as the entrance to the World’s Fair held in Paris. That same year, the Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris was founded and showcased the now more mainstream styles of performance including can-can dancing. Belle Epoque dancers and singers were Paris celebrities and became immortalized by the poster arts of Toulouse-Lautrec.
Leading up to this period in 1865, the American Civil War was coming to a close, with France proposing to construct the Statue of Liberty as a joint effort with the United States. France would be responsible for the statue, with America constructing the pedestal. Created to celebrate the nation’s success in building a viable democracy, the statue would stand as a symbol of friendship between the French and American people.
(Louis XVI st.) -
Also known as Louis Seize, Louis XVI's style is a style of architecture, furniture, decoration, and art created during Louis XVI’s 19-year reign in France, just before the French Revolution.
Thought to be a reaction and juxtaposition to the prior more elaborate styles, Louis XVI style developed at the end of the Baroque Period and continued until the birth of French Neoclassicism.
King Louis XVI showed little enthusiasm for the old world styles of the Baroque Period and he sought out a create a new “beau ideal” that focused on the purity and grandeur of Ancient Romans and Greeks.
Inspired by Ancient Roman architecture and art, distinct features of the Louis XVI style are linear lines, small repeated motifs, floral medallions hanging from ribbons, acanthus leaves, urns, dolphins, ram, and lion heads, and griffins.
Greco-Roman elements, often used in earlier and later French styles, were also quick common and included fluted and twisted columns, Caryathids, and corbels.
- Henry Dasson Read More
Henry Dasson (1825–1896) was a renowned 19th century Parisian maker of gilt-bronze mounted furniture. Unlike other cabinetmakers of the time Dasson began his career as a bronze sculptor, and consequently one characteristic of his work is the quality of his bronze and more precisely of the chasing. Dasson specialized in the production of Louis XIV, XV and XVI style furniture using the finest gilt-bronze mounts, and was recognized as a brilliant ‘ébéniste and bronzier’. He participated in the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle and exhibited a number of pieces in the Louis XV and XVI styles, as well as pieces of his own modified 18th century designs. Including a table entirely in gilt-bronze, purchased by Lord Dudley. His copy of the celebrated ‘Bureau du Roi’ sold to Lady Ashburton. His works prompted critic Louis Gonse to comment: “newcomer Henri Dasson is rapidly rising to great heights through the perfection of his high quality creations, we warmly applaud him”
Dasson was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in 1883 and was awarded the Grand Prix Artistique at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle.
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