A French late 19th century ormolu mounted kingwood, rosewood and Vernis Martin meuble a hauteur d'appuieither by Maison Krieger or Joseph Emanuel ZwienerOf breakfront form, the moulded marble top above three panel mounts incorporating a central door enclosing two adjustable shelves, the central Vernis Martin scene depicting Cupid in attendance as Venus is presented with armour for her son Aeneas from Vulcan who sits nearby his forge, within an acanthus and lotus-leaf cast gilt bronze surround with scrolled acanthus and flowerhead mounted re-entrant angles, flanked by keeled angles with espagnolette mounts, over a central lion mask cartouche mounted apron, on acanthus headed lion paw sabots, 132cm wide, 47cm deep, 116cm high (51 1/2in wide, 18 1/2in deep, 45 1/2in high).Footnotes:ProvenanceThe offered lot allegedly formed part of the property of Countess Nadina Kapodistrias, whose name was an abbreviation of Diamandina. She was the mother of the renowned and popular Greek historical political figure, Ioannis Kapodistrias (1776-1831) who was Governor of Greece for four years. However it seems impossible that the present meuble a hauteur d'appui was ever owned either by Countess Nadina or her son Ioannis, due to the fact they both died quite some time before the cabinet was most likely executed during the last quarter of the 19th century.Despite this, the offered cabinet is reputedly documented in a message written by Countess Nadina's grandson which describes two pieces of furniture in the family collection. In this message the grandson relates how it is his intention to ship both the present model, along with another item, to Athens.A virtually identical side cabinet to the present lot, which has a lock plate engraved: 'Mon. KRIEGER AMEUBLEMENT, PARIS', thus evidently made by Maison Krieger, sold at Bonhams, The Elegant Home sale, Los Angeles, 8th June 2016, lot 367.The present piece shares a number of characteristics in common with two meubles a hauteur d'appui, or side cabinets, produced in France during the last quarter of the 19th century. The first comparable example, and apparently the most aesthetically similar to the offered model, is one dated circa 1880 attributed to Joseph Emanuel Zwiener (b.1849), which also incorporates a bold central Vernis Martin panel. This piece is available to view online at www.onlinegalleries.com.The resemblance between both examples is apparent not only in their triple panel mounted breakfront design, but also in the distinctive frieze mounts and female espagnolette mounts each with distinctive plumed headdress. While even the elegant scrolled acanthus mounts seemingly emanating from the top of the re-entrant angles are very similar.Another series of late 19th century Vernis Martin meubles d'appui were executed by the renowned cabinet maker, Henry Dasson. One of these cabinets, which is illustrated in C. Mestdagh, L'Ameublement d'Art Francais, 1850-1900, Paris, 2010, fig. 282, p. 240, is dominated by an impressive Vernis Martin scene painted with the same subject matter as the present lot. It likewise shows Venus accepting the armour made by Vulcan in his forge on behalf of her son Aeneas, while Cupid and another cherub are also in attendance.Maison Krieger Maison Krieger was founded in 1826 by Antoine Krieger (1804-1869) together with his brother Nicolas at 17, Rue Saint-Nicolas, in Paris. As one of the longest running cabinet makers of the 19th and 20th centuries, despite changing names several times, the firm belonged to various relatives and successive descendants of the Krieger family until the mid-20th century.From 1850 the company became known as Antoine Krieger & Cie. Just one year later Antoine Krieger won an award at the Great Exhibition. However, following Antoine's death in 1856, the business was taken over by his son-in-law and the new name of Maison Racault et Cie was then adopted. Subsequent alterations to the name of the firm included; H. Racault et Cie; Colin Damon et Cie in 1870; Damon, Namur et Cie in 1875; and Cosse-Racault et Cie from 1892 onwards.The Krieger enterprise was primarily based at 74, Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, which was one of the largest mechanised workshops in Paris during the second half of the 19th century. Krieger were renowned for making furniture in a great variety of historical and contemporary styles, although they were perhaps most celebrated for their Louis XVI and Empire output. By the end of the 20th century Krieger was one of the most important producers of furnishings in France, while their factories covered an expanse of more than five acres within the famous Faubourg St. Antoine district.LiteratureC. Mestdagh, L'Ameublement d'Art Français 1850-1900, Les Editions de l'Amateur, 2010, p. 19; pp.'s 163-8; pp.'s 301-5.C. Payne, European Furniture of the 19th Century, 2013, Suffolk, pp.'s 20-1 and p.40.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * TP* VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.TP Lot will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
