A carved mahogany desk armchair stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée, after a design by Charles Percier Convention, 1792-97

with a curved back above pierced splat carved with trelliswork enclosing a roundel above a loose cushion leather seat on winged lioness monopodia supports and sabre back legs

Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Les Ebenistes du XIX siècle, Paris, 1965, illustrated p. 283.

In overall good original condition. Joints sound and sturdy. Old minor marks, chips and scratches throughout consistent with age and use. Attractive patina and detail to carving. There have been some minor shrinkage to the base of the splat resulting in a slight gap where it joins the side rails. There are also some very minor cracks along the edges of the border of the pierced splat. There are variations in the colour e.g the back of the top-rail and the rear of the seat-rail, which would benefit from a repolish according to taste.
"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:
Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Les Ébénistes du XIX siecle, Paris, 1965, p. 283, illustrates a design by Percier for a related armchair by G. Jacob with a vertical slatted back rather than trelliswork splat, reproduced here in fig. 1 (Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, inv. CD 3989).
Guillaume Janneau, Le Mobilier Français, Les Sièges, Paris,1993, p. 351 for a related armchair by Jacob-Desmalter, circa 1805-1810, at Malmaison.
Christophe Huchet de Quénetain, Les styles Consulat et Empire, p. 104, fig 73.
Jean-Pierre Samoyault, Mobilier Français Consulat et Empire, Paris, 2009, p. 27, fig. 29.

This boldly carved armchair with its elegant trellis carved back and sculptural lioness monopodia front supports, is a supreme example of the refined style often employed by George Jacob's sons. The trellis motif was also used by Jacob on chairs he supplied to Marie Antoinette for her dairy at Rambouillet in 1787 but also was fashionable during the Directoire period, examples of which were supplied to Fontainebleau.

This imposing armchair is closely based upon a drawing by Percier and Fontaine and is a model on which Jacob collaborated with Jean-Baptiste Sené for a commission for the Convention Nationale, and as a result sometimes referred to as a fauteuil de la Convention. In the museum of the Château de la Malmaison, Paris, a number of armchairs of this type with similarities are conserved.

This armchair is similar apart from the upright splatted back to a desk armchair in the château de Malmaison, attributed to Georges Jacob, circa 1795, illustrated by Samoyault op. cit.,  p. 27, fig. 29, reproduced here in fig. 2.

Also see a drawing  for an armchair with a trellisback on lioness supports, illustrated by Huchet, op. cit., p. 104, fig. 73, .by Pierre-Antoine de La Mésangère, Meubles et  Objets de gout:, Guéridon, Trépied, Fauteuil de Bureau...Musée Carnavalet, Paris, reproduced here in fig. 3.

A pair of related mahogany armchairs, one stamped G. Jacob was sold from the collection of Mrs. Marella Agnelli, Sotheby's, New York, 23rd October 2004, lot 109 ($131,000).

Also see a related armchair attributed to Georges Jacob sold in these Rooms, 8th December 2004, lot 42 (£66,000).

A related armchair can be seen in the portrait of François-Adrien Boieldieu by Boilly in fig. 4.

Jacob Frères Rue Meslée was the stamp used by Georges II and François-Honoré-Georges Jacob from 1796-1803.