{"id":776,"date":"2023-04-13T03:26:20","date_gmt":"2023-04-13T07:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.proantic.com\/magazine\/?p=776"},"modified":"2024-04-20T13:14:04","modified_gmt":"2024-04-20T17:14:04","slug":"sauteuse-chest-of-drawers-from-jean-francois-hache-workshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.proantic.com\/antiques-art-design-magazine\/sauteuse-chest-of-drawers-from-jean-francois-hache-workshop\/","title":{"rendered":"Sauteuse Chest of Drawers From Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Hache’s Workshop"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"Chest<\/a>

Chest of Drawers From Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Hache’s Workshop \u00a9 Galerie Leroy<\/a><\/p><\/div>\r\n

This commode is curved on the front and on both sides. With only two drawers and long legs to carry them, this type of drawer chest is called a commode sauteuse<\/em>, as if the legs were ready to spring (sauter<\/em> in French).<\/p>\r\n

The cabriole legs end with pastilles<\/em>, characteristic of Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Hache.\u00a0 Even the back legs are curved. A marquetry, a skillful composition with contrasting colors, decorates the drawers and the two sides with geometric patterns. Decorative all the way, it still has its original brocatelle<\/em> crossbow-shaped marble top.<\/p>\r\n

\"Brocatelle<\/a>

Brocatelle marble top enhancing the wood colors. \u00a9 Galerie Leroy<\/a><\/p><\/div>\r\n

All the boxes are checked to point us towards a production of the Hache workshop. There is even an old label stuck under the commode with the French city name, GRENOBLE<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Hache Family, a Dynasty of Cabinet Makers<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"Changeur<\/a>

Changeur desk, 17th Century. Attributed to Hache in Toulouse. \u00a9 Patrick Martin et Joan Pujol Antiquaires<\/a><\/p><\/div>\r\n

Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Hache is the fourth generation of the biggest “brand” of provincial furniture in 18th-century France. Hache (meaning ‘axe’ in French) is quite the name for a cabinetmaker family! No\u00ebl Hache (1630-1675)<\/strong>, the first one, was born in Calais and worked in Toulouse. The next three generations (Thomas, Pierre and Jean-Fran\u00e7ois) were based in Grenoble and brought fame to their name.<\/p>\r\n

\"Commode<\/a>

Commode attributed to Thomas Hache \u00a9 Dupuy Antiquit\u00e9s<\/a><\/p><\/div>\r\n

Their pieces have a strong Italian influence with intricate marquetry, even involving scagliola<\/em> for Thomas Hache (1664-1747)<\/strong>. A typical combination would be burl wood (walnut<\/a> in particular as it is a major local tree in Dauphin\u00e9, the province headed by Grenoble), different types of fruitwood, and sometimes exotic woods. Some local woods may be tinted (e.g. in green).<\/p>\r\n

\"Commode<\/a>

Commode aux armoiries<\/em> by Pierre Hache. Created c. 1725 for Louis d’Aymon, Lord of Franqui\u00e8res-le-Mollard. Visible at the Couvent Saint-C\u00e9cile<\/a> in Grenoble. CC Christelle Colin<\/p><\/div>\r\n

Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Hache (1730-1796), the Most Famous of Them<\/h2>\r\n

Born January 10, 1730 in Grenoble, Jean-Fran\u00e7ois is the eldest of three brothers. He became an apprentice to his father Pierre Hache (1705-1776)<\/strong> at the age of 16. Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Hache most likely spent time with Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Oeben (1721-1763)<\/strong>, an illustrious cabinetmaker of King Louis XV, in 1755\/56.<\/p>\r\n

\"Longpra<\/a>

Longpra Castle<\/a> with Hache woodfloor \u00a9 Michel Dehaye<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Jean-Fran\u00e7ois started his own workshop in 1754 before taking over his father’s workshop (place Claveyson) alone in 1770. Like his father, he got appointed cabinetmaker to the Duke of Orleans<\/strong>, governor of Dauphin\u00e9, in 1770. He quickly gained considerable fame, and for over thirty years, he operated numerous workshops and stores in the city of Grenoble. He was a cunning business man who, on top of providing furniture for the most sumptuous Dauphinoise residences and properties, created a cheaper line of furniture made of solid walnut or cherry wood. These pieces did not include the precious marquetry Hache built their fame on but were beautiful nonetheless. Quality prevailed in all the production.<\/p>\r\n

\"Dressing<\/a>

Dressing Table by Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Hache \u00a9 Michel-Witold Gierzod<\/a><\/p><\/div>\r\n

Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Hache handed over the workshop to his brother Christophe-Andr\u00e9<\/strong> in 1788. Unfortunately, the end of Jean-Fran\u00e7ois’ career was tarnished by a real estate scandal facilitated by all the shifts in property during the French Revolution (including the confiscation and auctioning off of Catholic Church property). Jean-Fran\u00e7ois passed away in 1796. Christophe-Andr\u00e9 sold their business in 1801.<\/p>\r\n

How to Spot a Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Hache Piece of Furniture: Main Characteristics<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n