Directoire/consulat-era Armchair Stamped "jacob Frères, Rue Meslee"

Directoire/Consulate-period armchair stamped “JACOB FRERES RUE MESLEE.” Partnership between Georges II Jacob and François Honoré Georges Jacob-Desmalter from 1796 to 1803.
Delivery label from the client.

Armchair made of mahogany and mahogany veneer.
Square-shaped, slightly sloped backrest. Straight armrests supported by beaded column-style brackets. The seat rests on turned front legs and saber-shaped rear legs.
The seat is upholstered in yellow velvet with old-style horsehair padding. Wear, veneer chips, and restorations.

It should be noted that similar models produced by Jacob Frères or Jacob-Desmalter are held in the Mobilier National collection. Of particular note is a chair that is strictly identical, listed under inventory number GMT 1684/001.

The Jacob dynasty of carpenters and cabinetmakers, founded by Georges I (the father), needs no introduction.
Two of his three sons, Georges II Jacob (1768–1803) and François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter (1770–1841), followed by his grandson Alphonse Jacob-Desmalter (1799–1870), carried on the family’s reputation until the reign of Louis-Philippe. The latter sold his workshop to the Jeanselme firm in 1847.

The Jacob brothers’ partnership began in 1796, a period marked by the end of guild restrictions. Unlike their father during his time working under the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI, they were able to produce both cabinetry and joinery for seating.

The workshop enjoyed an excellent reputation.
They supplied the National Furniture Repository under the new Republic and the Consulate, as well as the private residences of the aristocracy, as evidenced by the furniture commissioned by Madame Récamier for her townhouse and that of General Bonaparte, ordered for his bedroom on Rue Chantereine before he became First Consul.

The death of Georges II Jacob in 1803 would mark the end of the partnership between G. Jacob’s two sons.