A gilt-bronze mounted mahogany lit en bateau attributed to Jacob Frères and Pierre-Philippe Thomire Empire, circa 1800/03

the panelled outswept ends joined by low side-rails, the front and sides mounted with meandering foliate sprays, on plinths and castors

In overall good original condition. There are horizontal cracks to the mahogany of the middle panels which don't distract from the beauty of the piece and can be restored. There is some fading to the mahogany to the front panel due to sunlight. There is a small replaced section of veneer to the left side panel. Casting of bronzes is superb
"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
Guillaume Janneau, Lits de repos & Lits, Paris, 1977, p. 30, plate 48.
Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Le mobilier français du XIXe siècle, Paris, 1989, pp. 269 and 278.
Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, Empire stylebook of Interior Design, All 72 plates from the 'Receuil de décoration intérieures', New York, 1991, plate 25.

On account of their style and superb quality the sumptuous gilt-bronze mounts on the present lit en bateau can almost certainly be attributed to the celebrated bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843). Thomire often provided mounts for François-Honoré-Georges Jacob, known as Jacob-Desmalter (1770-1841), who with his brother Georges II (1768-1803) ran the firm Jacob Frères from 1796 until the latter's death in1803. Jacob Frères are credited as having made a number of lits en bateau of nearly identical form to the present one, including a mahogany and ebony lit en bateau circa 1800-03, for Pauline Borghese at Château de Neuilly and another designed by Berthault, decorated with swan mounts (illustrated, op.cit. pp. 269 and 278). Another bed stamped Jacob R. Meslée of almost identical form was sold Sotheby's, Monaco, 3rd March 1990, lot 44. A closely related lit en bateau with almost identical foliage mounts attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, previously in the Collection of the Duke of Padua in château de Courson, was sold Osenat, Fontainebleau, 1st February 2004, for €64.900.
A nearly identical bed to the one sold in 2004 is in the Musée des Arts Decoratifs in Paris (inventory numnber 11187).
A further lit en bateau with very closely related gilt-bronze mounts in the form of meandering foliate sprays is in the Château de Malmaison and illustrated by Janneau, op.cit., plate 48.
Percier and Fontaine illustrate a design for comparable foliate mounts on a bed made for Monsieur O. in Paris, op.cit., plate 25.