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Lot Essay
Charles Chevallier, maître before 1738.
Pierre Roussel, maître in 1745.
The technique of vernis Martin, as seen in the present commode, was perfected by four brothers who produced what is considered to be the finest form of European japanning, lending their name to what later became a generic term. The elder brothers, Guillaume (d.1749) and Étienne-Simon (d.1770) were granted a monopoly for producing imitations of Chinese and Japanese lacquer in 1730 and this was subsequently renewed in 1744. Vernis Martin was developed from a varnish called cipolin. It is remarkably lustrous and fine in texture and produces an array of colors ranging from greys, greens and blues and enhanced by gold dust beneath the surface producing a sparkling finish. The lengthy process requires the application of as many as forty layers to be applied to the surface, each of which is then polished to result in the required depth and finish. There were undoubtedly several workshops of vernisseurs although little is know about their work. The inventories of the marchand-merciers rarely give an indication of the suppliers of these japanned items and their work was not marked. One commission of the Martin brothers which is documented is the supply of the panelling for the apartments of the Dauphine at Versailles in 1749.
Charles Chevallier (c.1700-1771) was the brother of the ébéniste Jean-Mathieu Chevallier (maître in 1743), and is known to have supplied furniture to François Ogier d’Ivry (1714-1779), Conseiller du Roi Louis XV, Grand audiencier de France, for his château d’Hénonville.
Pierre Roussel (1723-1782) who worked at 'L'image de Saint Pierre', rue de Charenton in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine. The prince de Condé was one of his patrons, with furniture being supplied for the Palais Bourbon and Chantilly. An inventory following Roussel's death throws light on the large scale of his activities, with three workshops, a shop and a large stock, including fifty commodes, several of which were 'en façon de lac'. A related vernis martin commode although of smaller proportions was sold Sotheby's New York, 6 November 2008, lot 75.
The present commode bears identical mounts to a commode by Jean Demoulin commissioned for the apartments of the duc de Penthièvre at the château de Chanteloup, now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours. The mounts were supplied by Jacques Caffieri. Another lacquer commode with almost identical mounts, from the collection of Christopher Sykes Esq. was sold Christie's, London, 2 July 1919.
Pierre Roussel, maître in 1745.
The technique of vernis Martin, as seen in the present commode, was perfected by four brothers who produced what is considered to be the finest form of European japanning, lending their name to what later became a generic term. The elder brothers, Guillaume (d.1749) and Étienne-Simon (d.1770) were granted a monopoly for producing imitations of Chinese and Japanese lacquer in 1730 and this was subsequently renewed in 1744. Vernis Martin was developed from a varnish called cipolin. It is remarkably lustrous and fine in texture and produces an array of colors ranging from greys, greens and blues and enhanced by gold dust beneath the surface producing a sparkling finish. The lengthy process requires the application of as many as forty layers to be applied to the surface, each of which is then polished to result in the required depth and finish. There were undoubtedly several workshops of vernisseurs although little is know about their work. The inventories of the marchand-merciers rarely give an indication of the suppliers of these japanned items and their work was not marked. One commission of the Martin brothers which is documented is the supply of the panelling for the apartments of the Dauphine at Versailles in 1749.
Charles Chevallier (c.1700-1771) was the brother of the ébéniste Jean-Mathieu Chevallier (maître in 1743), and is known to have supplied furniture to François Ogier d’Ivry (1714-1779), Conseiller du Roi Louis XV, Grand audiencier de France, for his château d’Hénonville.
Pierre Roussel (1723-1782) who worked at 'L'image de Saint Pierre', rue de Charenton in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine. The prince de Condé was one of his patrons, with furniture being supplied for the Palais Bourbon and Chantilly. An inventory following Roussel's death throws light on the large scale of his activities, with three workshops, a shop and a large stock, including fifty commodes, several of which were 'en façon de lac'. A related vernis martin commode although of smaller proportions was sold Sotheby's New York, 6 November 2008, lot 75.
The present commode bears identical mounts to a commode by Jean Demoulin commissioned for the apartments of the duc de Penthièvre at the château de Chanteloup, now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours. The mounts were supplied by Jacques Caffieri. Another lacquer commode with almost identical mounts, from the collection of Christopher Sykes Esq. was sold Christie's, London, 2 July 1919.
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Lot 45
Sale 21905
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BY CHARLES CHEVALLIER AND PIERRE ROUSSEL, MID-18TH CENTURY
A LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED 'VERNIS MARTIN' COMMODE
Estimate: GBP 30,000 - 50,000
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
Lot 45
Sale 21905
BY CHARLES CHEVALLIER AND PIERRE ROUSSEL, MID-18TH CENTURY
A LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED 'VERNIS MARTIN' COMMODE
Estimate: GBP 30,000 - 50,000
Bid amount
Buyer's premium
Estimated total cost exclusive of duties