The Last King’s Chair

Description

Rare and important carved mahogany Empire Period armchair attributed to Jacob Desmalter, France circa 1800, of neoclassical form inspired by the design of Percier et Fontaine, architects to the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the armrests beautifully carved with leopards heads and torso, the front legs ending in carved paw feet. Attributed to Jacob Desmalter. France, circa 1800.

Provenance: The front under railing stencilled “Raincy” period paper labels hand written: Mrs Duque Orlean, Grand Salon, Palais Royal. This chair was part of a large salon suite (this one is number belonging to King Louis Philippe – Duke of Orléans – the last king of France. An almost identical model was known to be part of the collection of Molly de Balkany who had an important collection of Empire furniture. Sister of Robert De Balkany – a real estate mogul -and once married to Marie Gabrielle de Savoie – daughter of the last king of Italy.