A pair of carved giltwood canapés attributed to Georges Jacob, Louis XVI, circa 1780

each with a rectangular padded back, the top-rail carved with a band of acanthus, each end surmounted by a berried foliate baluster shaped finial above scrolled supports carved with a stylised heart-shaped motif terminating in a scrolled arm carved with foliage and a patera with padded sides with freestanding stop fluted acanthus leaf carved flared supports above a triple cushioned seat and bowed ivy leaf carved beaded seat-rail each block carved with a patera on stop fluted and leaf carved turned tapering legs terminating in toupie feet, one with a ink inscribed label Salon de M... 'and a partly illegible printed paper label `St. Au...' regilt

Purchased by the present owner's father from Sammy Chalom, 38, Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, in November 1964. 

In overall very good conserved condition and can be placed immediately. Rare to have a pair of sofas of this quality. Joints sound and sturdy. The rear leg on one has been restored and reblocked and is different from the rest as it is not carved. The carving is of very good quality. On the front leg second from the right has been restored at the top resulting in a minor loss which would benefit from some infill which can easily be restored. There are some very minor chips which can easily be touched up with gilding and some minor wear to the gilding especially to the arms revealling the red bole as visible from the catalogue photograph.There are some hairline cracks at the joints commensurate with age which can easily be filled or left as these are not too noticable.The seat-rail has been strengthened and is inscribed in white pencil MOLAS.
"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:
Pierre Verlet, Le Mobilier Français, Vol. I, Picard,1990, Pl. XL, illustrates a canapé conceived in a similar vein by Sené and Régnier under the direction of Hauré (1787) for the Cabinet of Marie-Antoinette at Saint-Cloud (now in the Louvre).
F.J.B. Watson, Louis XVI Furniture, London, 1960 plate 194, for a related sofa stamped G. Jacob (formerly Mrs Edith Chester Beatty). Although the carving of the frame on the aforementioned sofa has variations, the arms are very similarly carved to those on the present pair and the illustrated sofa is similar to one delivered in 1785 for Madame de Balbi's use at the pavillon de Monsieur(the comte de Provence, Louis XVI's brother) at Versailles. 

This rare pair of exquisitely carved sofas bear the remnants of an 18th century label underneath but unfortunately without a Royal label they cannot be related to a royal set of furniture. It is very probable, however, that they were made for a very important aristocratic family. as the carving is sumptuous and almost certainly by Georges Jacob in view of the similarities with other sofas by him eg. the same decorative details and rolled arms. There is recorded some seat furniture with some similar carved elements coming from the Palais des Tuileries and with a Royal inventory mumber and a torn paper label stating `salon ..' but the inventory does not mention sofas.

However, it is worthwhile considering a magnificent canapé by Georges Jacob with identically rolled arms carved with the heart-shaped motif and scrolled ends on the top-rail but  differently carved frames and legs coming from the Salon des Jeux of the King at Saint-Cloud, sold Sothebys Monaco, 9th December 1984, lot 987. It was also regilded but had a label stating `Garde Meuble de la Couronne Ordre No. 3 du 31-8bre 1787, Canapé pour le Salon des jeux du Roi à Saint-Cloud'. In the catalogue it is stated that this canapé was part of a very famous group made by Jacob for the Salon des jeux at Saint-Cloud `probably the most important Louis XVI furniture that exists'. This group was delivered in 1788, and was very extensive comprising sixteen large armchairs, two bergéres, six armchairs en cabriolet, twelve chairs and two canapés to name but a few. The second canapé from this suite was sold in Paris on 29th November 1973, lot 104 and is today in the Palace of Versailles, Paris, although the latter had some variation in the carving.

A related set of seat furniture from the Château de Chanteloup stamped Georges Jacob with similar rolled arms on baluster supports but with variations in the carving was sold, lot 104 Christie's, Monaco, 7th December 1985. 

Georges Jacob (1739-1814), received master in 1765:
Georges Jacob was the most celebrated and outstanding Parisian menusier in the second half of the 18^th century during the reign of Louis XVI. He founded a dynasty of furniture makers that prospered for almost one hundred years. Born at Cheny to a peasant family, he arrived in Paris at the age of sixteen and was a furniture apprentice, although it is not known to whom. On September 4^th 1765, he became a maître and set up his workshop in rue de Cléry. Unlike most of his menuisiers-ébénistes, he practiced both crafts and his greatest output was of chairs. He was already enjoying great success early on in his career as by 1773, he was already working for the Garde-Meuble, and was employed to repair some Louis XIV medal cabinets in the Boulle technique from the château de Saint-Cloud and at least one of these cabinets which bears his stamp is now in the Louvre.

He was named in 1781, ébéniste-ordinaire to Monsieur le Comte de Provence (Louis XVIII later on) and was one of the fournisseurs du Menus-Plaisirs from 1781, and he was patronised by Marie-Antoinette. In 1775, he acquired much larger premises at 77 Rue Meslay which was used by his family until 1825. In 1788, he was made deputy syndic of his guild and but for the Revolution breaking out he would have become a syndic himself in the following year. His illustrious clients included the Comte d'Artois, the younger brother of Louis XVI, the Prince de Condé, the Duc de Chartres, the Prince of Conti to name but a few. He also worked for foreign clients including the Prince of Wales, later George IV, Gustavus III of Sweden, Prince Kinsky etc. He enjoyed great wealth and a distinguished position in society until the fall of the monarchy, when their flight caused him great financial loss. In 1796, he handed his business over to his two sons, Georges and François-Honoré-Georges and retired.