Antique 18th Century French Bedroom Bench or Window Seat by George Jacob
About the Item
- Creator:Georges Jacob (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.44 in (90 cm)Width: 63 in (160 cm)Depth: 23.63 in (60 cm)Seat Height: 19.49 in (49.5 cm)
- Style:Directoire (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1795
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Ready to be placed. Great colour and patination, minor old restorations. The seat newly upholstered in sumptuous bottle green Lelievre gauffrage velvet mohair.
- Seller Location:Richmond, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1781224824652
Georges Jacob
Georges Jacob became one of the finest Parisian maîtres ebénistes (master cabinetmakers) of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, despite his humble beginnings and lack of formal training. Renowned throughout Europe for his opulent Louis XVI designs and grand gilt work, Jacob attracted royals, nobiles and other wealthy clientele.
Jacob was born in 1739 to a peasant family in Cheny, Burgundy. At 16, he moved to Paris to become an apprentice to chairmaker Jean-Baptiste Lerouge. While working for Lerouge, Jacob met Louis Delanois, a young menuisier (carpenter) who specialized in seating. Delanois’s distinct Rococo style and neoclassical taste influenced Jacob, whose own talents for design led him to become a maître ebéniste, in 1765.
In 1767, Jacob opened his first furniture-making business, employing several gilders, carvers and joiners to handcraft his designs. His atelier ornately decorated beds, armchairs, benches, screens and center tables with giltwood motifs such as fluting, beading, ribbons and guilloches. Word spread of Jacob’s exceptional furniture among the European elite, capturing the attention of Queen Marie Antoinette, Sweden’s King Gustav III, the United Kingdom’s King George IV and several German princes.
However, in 1789, Jacob lost several of his aristocratic clients at the onset of the French Revolution. Despite his associations with French royalty and nobility, Jacob survived the revolution with the help of his friend, Republican painter Jacques-Louis David.
In 1796, Jacob retired and left his business to his two sons, Georges and François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter, also known as Jacob Frères. Under the ownership of his sons, the workshop became a furniture supplier to Emperor Napoleon.
Jacob’s pieces are held in the collections of several international museums and collections, including the Chateau de Chantilly and Chateau de Fontainebleau; the Louvre and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, in Paris; the Wallace Collection, in London; the Museum of Fine Arts Boston; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of antique Georges Jacob seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Richmond, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 18th Century French Bedroom Bench by George JacobBy Georges JacobLocated in Richmond, LondonA fine French late 18th century Klismos bench, of great colour and desirable generous proportions. Stamped G.Jacob. France, circa 1795. Why we like it A handsome, timeless desig...Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Benches
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Antique Painted Bench or Settee, ex-Madeleine Castaing, after design by ChapuisBy Jean Joseph ChapuisLocated in Richmond, LondonA very decorative 'curule' settee, late 19th century after a design by Jean-Joseph Chapuis. Provenance: Madeleine Castaing, Maison de Lèves, Chartres, France. Why we like it Besides the iconic provenance, this bench is a great example of the 19th century design, informed by classical antiquity. Decorated in the exotic 'Etruscan' style to simulate patinated bronze, with its dramatically exaggerated curves, evoking the ancient Roman 'sella curulis' - a symbol of magisterial power, this settee is truly a special example of its kind. A squab cushion covered in a fabric complimenting other textiles in the existing interior will complete the look of this super-stylish bench. Provenance – Madeleine Castaing Together with a pair of armchairs en-suite (sold by us in may 2022), this settee was photographed in the vestibule at Maison de Lèves near Chartres - country house of the iconic French interior designer and antiques dealer Madeleine Castaing (1894–1992). Madeleine married the heir and art critic Marcellin Castaing – the legendary love of her life – who in the 1920's acquired a neoclassical gentilhommière at Lèves, that she had been admiring since her days in a convent school nearby, for her to "unwind" as he explained. The house would become one of her masterpieces as she discovered her own vocation for interior design. Extant photographs reveal a number of changes that had been made to the interiors over time. The writer Maurice Sachs once wrote about Madeleine's passion for her home: “The constant transformations she made to the estate kept her as busy as the world can keep a socialite…”. The contents of Maison de Lèves as well as Castaing's Rue Jacob...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Belgian Neoclassical Benches
MaterialsWood, Cane
- 18th Century Needlework PictureLocated in Richmond, LondonA charming petit-point needlework picture of floral design, in its original convex moulding frame. English, late 18th century.Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Tapestries
MaterialsWool
- Six Antique 18th Century Botanical Prints Engravings, by P.J. Buchoz, 1776By Pierre Joseph BuchozLocated in Richmond, LondonA set of six of exceptional quality 18th century hand-colored engravings Buchoz, Pierre Joseph. Collection précieuse et enluminée des fleurs les plus belles et les plus curieuses, q...Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Pair of 18th Century Hall ArmchairsLocated in Richmond, LondonAn outstanding pair of George II period hall armchairs in black walnut, of unusual 'Windsor' design. England, circa 1740–50. Why we like them Items that are not merely quirky, but...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- 18th Century Chippendale Chest of DrawersBy Thomas ChippendaleLocated in Richmond, LondonA superb quality George III Chippendale period serpentine-fronted chest of drawers. English, c. 1770. Why we like it A most perfect embodiment of the Chippendale taste: superb quali...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- 18th century George III Mahogany Window SeatLocated in San Francisco, CA18th century George III Mahogany Window Seat Leather Upholstery Scroll Arms Brass Nailhead Trim Cabriole Legs with Support FeetCategory
Antique 18th Century Benches
MaterialsLeather
- 18th Century Mahogany Window SeatLocated in London, GBAn unusual late 18th century Adam period carved mahogany window seat, having serpentine back and seat with scrolled out-swept arms, decorated with...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Adam Style Benches
MaterialsMahogany
- Late 18th Century Country House Giltwood Bench/Window SeatLocated in London, GBA substantial late 18th century gilt wood window seat/bench from an Irish country house. Inspired by the French rococo-style which is characterised by...Category
Antique Late 18th Century Northern Irish Rococo Benches
MaterialsGiltwood
- Pair of 18th Century Carved Mahogany Chippendale Window Seats / BenchesLocated in Dallas, TXBeautiful, rare pair of 18th century carved mahogany Chippendale window seats / Benches. Some restoration is needed.Category
Antique 18th Century Chippendale Benches
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- French 18th Century BenchLocated in Atlanta, GAA lovely 18th century bench from the South of France. Soundly constructed from richly stained pine. Beautiful patina.Category
Antique 18th Century French Benches
MaterialsPine
- Antique 18th Century George III Oak Settle Hall BenchLocated in LOS ANGELES, CAAntique 18th century George III Oak Settle Hall Bench. Beautiful Primitive form with original patina. Additional information: Materials: Oak Color: Brown Period: 18th century ...Category
Antique 18th Century British Rustic Benches
MaterialsOak