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pair of early 20th century mahogany armchairspair of antique chairs with upholstered arms and back cushionsa close up of a wooden chair with a lion head on ita wooden chair with a lion head on the backa close up of a wooden cross with a paw on it
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115 - Armchair with a curved backrest in wood and mahogany veneer.…
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Estimate €600 - €800
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Description
Armchair with a curved backrest in wood and mahogany veneer. The smooth armrests, adorned with mufles, are supported by cavet-shaped brackets embellished with water leaves. The flared, curved front apron rests on front legs topped with rosettes and finished with lion’s paws. The rear legs are sabre-shaped. Upholstered in green velvet edged with domed brass studs. Paris. Empire period. Attributed to Marcion. (1769–1840) H_91 cm W_57 cm D_53 cm Pierre-Benoît Marcion. He was born in Paris in 1769 to a father who was a second-hand clothes merchant. In 1798, he advertised the relocation of his workshop and shop, ‘Aux Égyptiens’, and offered a wide selection of mahogany furniture adorned with gilded bronze fittings. His first official commission was a major one: in 1801, he delivered 82 mahogany chairs decorated with inlays to the Conservative Senate. From 1805 onwards, he regularly supplied the Imperial Furniture Depot, thereby becoming one of the leading cabinetmakers working for Napoleon, second only to Jacob-Desmalter. His commissions included work for the Petit Trianon, the Tuileries Palace, the Palace of Saint-Cloud, Fontainebleau and Laeken. In addition to chairs, Marcion also produced chests of drawers, writing desks, bookcases, console tables, office desks and washstands for the Emperor. . . Commissions became particularly significant from 1808 onwards, mainly for the Trianons, the Palaces of Compiègne and Fontainebleau, and in 1813 for Monte Cavallo in Rome. Then, as business became difficult, he received only small commissions (Rambouillet and Compiègne). On the occasion of the valuation of his stock in 1816, the inspector from the Garde-Meuble wrote that his furniture ‘combines the perfect quality of the materials with the finish of the workmanship and the regularity of the proportions. . . Mr Marcion is one of the Parisian cabinetmakers who produces furniture of the highest perfection. . . ‘’. It is also worth noting his consummate mastery of his carvings and gilded bronze work. In 1817, he ceased his business and retired to Château-Thierry, where he owned two properties. Upon the death of his wife, he returned to Paris, where he died in May 1840. Appraisal: Mr Stéphane PEPE - Expert: PEPE Stephane
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About the sale A European Collection.
Auction location
Auction time 07/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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