François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter (1770–1841)

François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter was a leading French furniture manufacturer, who ran one of the most successful and influential furniture workshops in Paris.

Cheval glass (psyché) ca. 1810–14- François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter - Amboyna veneered on oak; gilt-bronze mounts; glass, French, Paris.
Cheval glass (psyché) (1810–14) François Honoré Georges Jacob-Desmalter

Image source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/195220?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=Jacob-Desmalter&offset=0&rpp=20&pos=2

About Jacob-Desmalter’s Life

François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter was born in 1770 to a family of well-known chair manufacturer. Further, he and his older brother took control of their father’s business in 1796. Six years later his brother died and Jacob-Desmalter hired back his father as a partner. The family business grew into one of the largest furniture workshops in Paris, Jacob-Desmalter et Cie (“and Company”). In 1808, 332 workers were employed. Additionally, they produced products worth over 700,000 francs a year. A third of the production was exported abroad. Moreover, the main buyers were Napoleon and his family. But, the business went bankrupt in 1813 when the emperor resigned from power. However, he managed to restart the company and in 1825 he transferred control to his son Alphonse-George. Then, he died on the Rue Cadet in Paris on August 15, 1841.

Cabinet (commode à vantaux) ca. 1813–25 - François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter- Oak, thuya wood veneer; gilt-bronze mounts; marble top, French.
Cabinet (commode à vantaux) (1813–25) Jacob-Desmalter

Image source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/194568?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=Jacob+Desmalter&offset=0&rpp=20&pos=1

Jacob-Desmalter’s Major Works

  • A magnificent cradle built for the infant Napoleon II, Prince Imperial of France and King of Rome. It has elm burr veneer richly decorated with chased gilt bronze mountings.
  • “Grand Ecrin,” which is a jewel cabinet designed for Empress Josephine by the famous architect Charles Percier. Delivered in 1809 for her state bedroom at the Tuileries (soon to be used by Marie-Louise), the piece has plates of gilded bronze: the central one, depicting the “Birth of the Queen of the Earth, to whom Cupids and Goddesses hasten with their Offerings” by the most prominent bronze master of the Empire, Pierre-Philippe Thomir.
Le Grand Trianon (Versailles): A grand bedroom with pink walls, pink cushioned furniture and light colored accents.
Le Grand Trianon (Versailles)

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/a2dc812d-45f3-4856-b3e4-89222ee07163 by dalbera

Rocking Cradle by Jacob-Desmalter after drawings by C. Percier.
Rocking Cradle by Jacob-Desmalter after drawings by C. Percier

Image source: https://www.gazette-drouot.com

Features of His Style

Jacob-Desmalter made Empire-style furniture, which most commonly had mahogany veneer with gilded bronze supports. The craftsmen drew inspiration from the seats and thrones of antiquity, which are easily recognizable in the details on the bas-reliefs and on the Greek vases.

Daybed (lit de repos) ca. 1795–1803 François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter- Mahogany and mahogany veneered on beechwood; gilt bronze, bronze, lampas, French, Paris.
Daybed (1795–1803) by François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter

Image source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/205418?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=Jacob+&offset=0&rpp=20&pos=5


Info sources:

http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/artists/808/franois-honor-georges-jacob-french-1770-1841/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois-Honor%C3%A9-Georges_Jacob-Desmalter

http://worldarts.info/jacob-desmalter/#.WZxpGChJaUk

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