Mahogany and flamed mahogany veneer chest of drawers opening - Lot 202

Mahogany and flamed mahogany veneer chest of drawers opening with a drawer in the entablature, a flap and two drawers. It reveals five drawers, one of which is a secret drawer. The unit stands on lion-legged legs on a base with a scalloped complaint at the front. Ornamentation of chased bronzes and swans. Cloverleaf key locks. Belgium black marble top. Paris, Empire period. Dimensions: 124 x 47 x 79 cm. Minor chips to the veneer. Minor restorations. Expert : Stéphane Pépe This secretary is to be compared with the corpus of furniture made by the cabinetmaker Simon-Nicolas MANSION, known as MANSION jeune (1773 - 1854), second son of Simon MANCION. A secrétaire en armoire published in "DENISE LEDOUX - LEBARD - LE MOBILIER FRANÇAIS DU XIXEME SIECLE, dictionnaire des ébénistes et menuisiers. LES EDITIONS DE L'AMATEUR 1984 et 1989, p 458" features an architecture decorated with pilasters and lion's paws, adorned with chased and gilded bronze trim consisting of foliate acanthus capitals and swan lock escutcheons, which are similar to our secretary. Simon- Nicolas MANSION, established 474, Rue Saint Mérri in 1804, rue des Champs-Elysées in 1808 and 1809, and later 6, rue de Vaugirard, first distinguished himself in luxury cabinetmaking. In 1804, he presented a piece of furniture in mahogany, cedar and ebony to the jury of the Athénée des Arts, forming a secretary, chest of drawers and bookcase. He submitted the same piece for examination by members of the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers, and was commended. The 1807 inventory of the toilette cabinet in the Empress's grand apartments describes several pieces of furniture made and supplied by Simon-Nicolas MANSION. The Musée national du château de Malmaison also holds furniture made by this cabinetmaker.