PIERRE IV MIGEON (Paris, 1696-1758)

BAS D'ARMOIRE formant secrétaire en pente et prie-Dieu Paris, circa 1740-1750 Fir wood frame; walnut drawers and beechwood case body, rosewood, violet and satinwood veneer, macacauba and painted wood Very good condition, flap subsequently trimmed with a fine green leather H. 92 cm, W. 63 cm, D. 39 cm Stamped twice Pierre IV Migeon, with the mark JME Provenance Former collection Etienne Nicolas (1871-1960) Private collection, Paris, since 2010 This multi-purpose piece of furniture is composed of a donkey's back surmounting a two-leafed cupboard at the base of which slides a footrest serving as a prie-Dieu. Its delicate structure of curves and counter-curves is enhanced by the wooden fillets that underline its contours. A rich marquetry of exotic woods constitutes the main part of its decoration. The flap of the secretary, decorated with diamond point motifs, presents a crossbow profile, following a decorative principle dear to Pierre IV Migeon that we find notably on the sloping secretary of the castle of Thoiry (fig. 1). Below, the macacauba veneered leaves close with a rod lock. They open onto shelves made of wood painted in imitation of a wickerwork veneer. On the outside, the cabinetmaker favored the play of veneer, as can also be seen on another of his donkey-back secretaries studied by Sophie Mouquin (fig. 2). Both pieces of furniture multiply the decorative effects of rosewood associated with violet and satinwood, with their shades of reddish-brown and their rectilinear veins contrasting with the sinuosity of the frame. Pierre IV Migeon came from a great dynasty of cabinetmakers established in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine. Receiving his master's degree before 1729, he was able to attract a demanding clientele, including the most important officers of the kingdom. He became one of the suppliers of the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne where he delivered in particular the furniture intended for the Dauphin. Additional information given by the collector is accessible by QR Code in the PDF.