239 - An exceptional set of carved and gilded wooden salon furniture, stamped “JACOB D RUE MESLEE,” consisting of a set of 6 armchairs and 2 small sofas with their original silk upholstery embroidered with silver thread.

An exceptional set of carved and gilded wooden salon furniture, stamped “JACOB D RUE MESLEE,” consisting of a set of 6 armchairs and 2 small sofas with their original silk upholstery embroidered with silver thread. Originally from the grand salon of Jacques Laffitte’s mansion in Paris, 1803–1813. Features flat backs, lion’s-paw armrests, saber legs, and double spindle legs with beaded rings. Decorated with laurel friezes, base friezes, palmettes, and rosettes. H. 99 W. 65 D. 55 cm (armchairs) H. 98 W. 153 D. 70 cm (small sofas) Some damage. Georges Jacob and his son François-Honoré-Georges Jacob, known as Desmalter, cabinetmakers on Rue Meslée. François Durozeau, upholsterer on Rue de Cléry. Archival source: National Archives, MC/ET/XXXIII/1156: Inventory following the death of Jacques Laffitte (June 4, 1844) (fig.). Jacques Laffitte (1767–1744), of modest origins, entered the banking world toward the end of Louis XVI’s reign. He enjoyed a meteoric rise, eventually reaching the position of governor of the Banque de France. He amassed a considerable personal fortune, though this was marred toward the end of his career by a few financial setbacks. He was forced to sell some of his possessions but retained the prestigious set of chairs presented here, which were placed in the grand salon overlooking the garden of his Parisian mansion, the Hôtel Laffitte. For a set of four similar chairs by JACOB D RUE MESLEE from the Tuileries, see: Piasa auction—Paris, October 22, 2008, lot 197. For a pair of chairs by Jacob Desmalter from Compiègne, also marked “Durozeau,” see: Daguerre auction—Paris, April 25, 2025, lot 230. Condition. Appraiser: Mr. Benoit DEROUINEAU Information for Buyers: All formalities required for export shall be the responsibility of the buyer.