Research
Of polychrome lacquer on black ground, the carcass of oak and poplar. With two drawers to the frieze with two cupboards below opening to reveal three maple veneered sliding trays. The whole raised on a plain plinth with short shaped bracket feet. All extensively decorated with exotic vignettes including ‘troubadour’ monkeys among arabesques, a chorus of tropical birds and palm trees. Signed and dated to lower left hand side Chifflot 1846-1847. In original, unrestored condition.

Marks:
Bears paper label to reverse:
De La Levade
à Bercy (?)

This extraordinary cabinet belongs to the only known group of five pieces of furniture produced by the French craftsman/designer named Chifflot. All the pieces are signed and dated, including the cabinet, which was made in 1846-47. A related armoire of 1848, was sold in the art trade in 2001; a bedside cabinet of 1853, and dressing table of 1859, were sold in 2002; and a day bed of 1853 completes the group. To date, the only known mention of Chifflot’s name appears in the official catalog for the 1855 Exposition des Produits de l’Industrie de Toutes les Nations in Paris, No. 7903, where he is described as exhibiting “meubles peints, pour chambre à coucher.” With the exception of the later dressing table, it is possible that some of the pieces from the aforementioned group are the same as those presented at the Exposition, although the subject matter of the decoration is not described.

Full research report available on request.