A Pair of Louis XVI Small Giltwood Canapés by Sené, Circa 1780

Christie's New York, 27 May 1999, lot 226

Jean-Baptiste Claude was the son of Claude Sené and was the most celebrated member in his family of menuisiers. He became a maître when he was still quite young on May 10, 1769 at the age of 21. Six months later he opened his own establishment in the rue de Cléry. His skill meant instant recognition and success and in 1785, he was appointed fournisseur de la Couronne and then was employed by the Menus-Plaisirs to make furniture for Louis XVI and Marie-Antointette and for other members of the French Royal family and aristocracy at the French Court. He worked generally under the direction of Hauré  and collaborated with a variety of sculptors such as Vallois, Laurent, Alexandre, Regnier and Guérin. Most of his work is distinguished by rich carving and today his work is found in many of the world's leading museums - the Louvre, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Musée Nissim Camondo in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York amongst others.