A suite of gilt-bronze mounted parcel-gilt mahogany seat furniture in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter Empire

comprising a bergères, a canapé, two armchairs and four chairs, the bergère with a curved yoke-shaped padded back mounted with a mask within a roundel enclosed by stylised foliage, above padded arms and loose cushion seat, the supports in the form of a swan, the seat-rail similarly mounted to the top-rail, on rear sabre legs and claw and ball front feet, the chairs and canapé similarly carved and mounted; partially remounted

Partridge Fine Arts, London

Old minor marks, chips and scratches commensurate with usage and old minor restorations to veneer, especially to rear top leg of one chair. Joints sound and sturdy. Parcel-gilding refreshed. Old minor restorations generally. In overall very good restored condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
M. Jarry, Les Sièges Français, Lausanne, 1973, p. 292, plate 43 and p. 294, ill. 297.
D. Ledoux-Lebard, Les Ebénistes du XIXe Siècle, Paris, 1965, p. 335.
Madeleine Deschamps, Stile lmpero, New York, 1994, p. 96

Based on a famous design by Percier and Fontaine, the swan was a symbol chosen by the Empress Josephine and quickly became a central feature of the Jacob repertoire. Ledoux-Lebard illustrates p. 335, op. cit.,  designs by Percier and Fontaine of chairs with swan supports,  reproduced in the albums of La Mésangère Réceuil de Meubles et Objets de Goût for the bedroom of Empress Josephine at the Chateau de Saint-Cloud in 1803. These designs also had a great influence on Russian Empire seat furniture which often feature arm supports in the form of boldly carved swans. 
A suite of mahogany and giltwood chairs and armchairs with similar swan neck supports and straight arms was part of the furnishings in the Camera Imperatrice, made upon the occasion of the visit of Napoléon and Joséphine to the Château de Serrant, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, illustrated by Deschamps.
op. cit., p. 96.

Also see a related set of six mahogany and parcel-gilt armchairs with swan supports stated to be probably by Jacob-Desmalter, sold in these Rooms, lot 213, 10th June 1999.

Jacob-Desmalter:
François Honoré Georges Jacob Desmalter, (1770-1841), the second son of the founder of the dynasty of famous cabinet-makers Georges Jacob, married the daughter of the famous bronzier and ébéniste Martin Éloi Lignereux. It is under the Directoire that he added Desmalter to his stamp in memory of a family estate "Les Malterres" near Cheny. He found great favour under Napoleon and became one of the premier cabinet-makers to the Emperor.