Furniture, Works of Art and Clocks - 9th January 2019
Lot 293
A Charles X mahogany commode a vantaux by Jean Jacques Werner
Estimate £2,000 - £3,000 | Hammer £2000
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Description
A Charles X mahogany commode a vantaux by Jean Jacques Werner, with ormolu mounts, the Carrara marble top with a reeded edge above a frieze drawer and the flame veneered base with a pair of doors enclosing three slides, above a secret base drawer, the back stamped twice 'J J WERNER' and the underside of the marble inscribed 'Lady Bertie of Thame', 88.7cm high, 124.5cm wide, 59.1cm deep.
Provenance:
The Right Hon. The Viscountess of Bertie of Thame.
Christie, Manson & Woods Ltd. Fine English and French Furniture, 12th May 1955, lot 95.
Francis Leveson Bertie, 1st Viscount Bertie of Thame (1844-1919) was ambassador to France between 1905 and 1918 which probably explains how this commode came into the family's possession.
Jean Jacques Werner (1791-1849) was one of the most celebrated ebenistes of the Restauration period. He was born in Berne, the son of a timber merchant. Like many aspiring cabinet makers he travelled to Paris and by 1812 he had established himself in rue Saint-Dominique-Saint-Germain. He won silver medals at the expositions of 1819, 1823, 1827 and 1834, however, he failed to win a gold medal which disappointed him. Despite specific praise from King Louis XVIII Werner was left frustrated as up until 1823 the King had not made any purchases. This was to change under the reign of Charles X and he was also much appreciated to the French nobility, most notably the Duchesse de Berry.
His works can be found in the Musee de Chateau de Versailles , Musee des Arts Decoratifs and the Palais Leuchtenberg in Munich.
See Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Francais du XIXe Siecle, pp.625-634.