Jean-jacques Pafrat, A Mahogany Louis XVI Secretaire Stamped I. Pafrat.

A Louis XVI secrétaire en armoire in mahogany and Cuban mahogany veneer on an oak and fir frame stamped: I . PAFRAT for Jean-Jacques PAFRAT. Rectangular in shape, with a vertical structure, cut sides and recessed masses, it is topped with a sheet of Royal des Ardennes gray marble. The desk is divided into two distinct parts: the top opens with a thin drawer and a flap forming a tray. The top folds down to lock horizontally to form a writing surface. To enhance writing comfort, the writing surface is lined with gilded Havana morocco. The interior is made up of a castin compartmented with six layettes in three rows. Twice three small drawers slide into the ends of the lower row. The lower part, known as the armoire, opens with two leaves onto a two-tier cassier. The stamp of Jean-Jacques PAFRAT and the jurande de Paris are stamped on the left rear jamb. Beautiful ornamentation of very finely chased and gilded bronzes, such as rosettes, ringed handles, lock escutcheons and lenses accentuate the contrast, and original working latch, locks and fittings are well present. In our workshop, we have restored this secretary to its original lustre by cleaning and buffing.
Jean-Jacques PAFRAT, named Master in 1785, was based in Paris on rue de Charonne, and produced furniture of the highest quality of execution and finish, with a clear preference for sober, clean lines and the beauty of veneered woods, to the detriment of bronze ornamentation, which he used sparingly. In 1787, the Journal des Luxus summed up this trend perfectly, declaring that “the spirit of true furniture, comfortable and in good taste, lies in practicality, simplicity and purity of line”. Our cabinetmaker's career came to an abrupt halt during the revolutionary period. After taking part in the storming of the Bastille, he joined the armies of the Republic, and was wounded at the battle of Linselles. He died in a Lille hospital on August 18, 1793. A Louis XVI mahogany chest of drawers and secretary stamped I. Pafrat are currently in the collections of the Château de Versailles. The stamp of this cabinetmaker also appears alongside that of Martin Carlin (circa 1730-1785) on a small music and writing table adorned with Sèvres porcelain plates, presented by Queen Marie-Antoinette to Eleonor Eden in 1786 when she came to Paris accompanied by her husband, a prominent commercial merchant. It is now in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (inv. 1057-1882) (fig. 2).



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