Directoire Tripod table by Canabas

Description

Very fine 18th Century mahogany dish top tripod table by Joseph Gengenbach, known as Canabas, circa 1790, the lathe turned top with dished edge, over very simple column base, standing on three anthropomorphic feet and retaining original (and worn flat!) brass casters, the base stamped “Canabas (p) JME”

CANABAS dit Joseph Gengenbach: Joseph Gengenbach dit Canabas (1715-1797) – received master’s status on April 1, 1766: Like many French master cabinet makers, he was of German origin. He arrived in Paris in the 1740s and was employed at that time by famous cabinetmakers, such as Jean-François Oeben and Pierre Migeon while he worked as a privileged worker in the rue de Charonne. The workers’ book of the latter, who is also a merchant, testifies to the deliveries of furniture made by Canabas until 1761. Once he became a master, he opened premises in Faubourg Saint-Antoine established himself as a specialist in practical and innovative furniture. His work is distinguished by use of fine timber and sober design.

BIBLIOGRAPHY The French Furniture of the XVIIIth Century – Pierre Kjellberg – Les Editions de l’Amateur – 1989 The Cabinetmakers of the 18th Century – Comte François de Salverte – The Editions of Art and History – 1934 The Art and the Style of the Master Cabinetmakers French in the 18th century. – Nicolay Jean – Pygmalion – 1976