PIERRE GARNIER

French Louis XV Folding desk, Paris, 18th century

Height x width x depth: 143 x 87 x 38 cm.

Refined secrétaire à abattant in bois de rose (Dalbergia Frutescens) and bois de violette (Dalbergia cearensis), veneered with herringbone pattern and adorned with finely chiseled golden bronzes. The cabinet has an upper drawer, central flap with internal writing desk with compartments and small drawers, two lower doors, and mottled marble top. Square-section legs terminating in bronze sabot.

Signed P. GARNIER under the marble top, one of the best-known ébénistes of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, active in Paris from 1742 and specializing in Louis XVI-style and transitional furniture.

A museum work in terms of quality, provenance and state of preservation.

This lot is accompanied by an expertise issued by Ce.S.Ar Centro studi archeometici.

Provenance:
Family Princes Gonzaga of Mantua.

Literature:
Pierre Garnier (c. 1720 - post 1795) was one of the finest Parisian cabinet-makers of the 18th century. He became maître in 1742 and worked mainly in the Faubourg Saint-Antoin* district. He worked in the Louis XV, Transition and especially Louis XVI styles, distinguishing himself by the quality of his marqueterie, the fineness of his forms and the use of exceptionally well-made gilded bronzes. He regularly signed his works with the stamp *P. GARNIER*.

He collaborated with the best bronzesmiths and was active until the last years of the century, adapting to the neoclassical taste. His works are now held in important museums and collections, including the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum.

Sources:
- Pierre Kjellberg, *Le mobilier français du XVIIIe siècle*, Paris, 1989
- Alexandre Pradère, *Les Ébénistes français de Louis XIV à la Révolution*, Paris, 1989
- Musée du Louvre, inventory of signed furniture
- Archives nationales de France, dossier des maîtres ébénistes