Bureau Plat with Shelf by Gervais-Maximilien-Eugène Durand
Rare Bureau Plat with shelf in the Régence style, made and signed by Eugene Durand.
This piece is executed in French oak, decorated with bronze doré mounts. The swept legs are terminating in rocaille and acanthus embellished shoes. The three large drawers are enclosed with gilt bronze, and decorated with an ornamentally embellished handle and lock mount. Each drawer has a lock with a beautifully chiseled, gilt key.
The transition to the legs is decorated at the corners with bronze doré elements in shell and acanthus leaves. The large writing tablet is framed by a profiled bronze doré edge and has an original, red leather cover with gold embossing all around.
The top part, decorated with chiseled strips and decorative elements, is executed with two drawers, and pierced side parts, is surmounted by a blossom and shell shaped ornament.
Gervais-Maximilien-Eugène Durand established the Maison Durand firm in 1870, producing top quality eighteenth-century style furniture. The business triumphed when the firm participated in the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle, obtaining a silver medal and commended as ‘un ébénistes aussi habile que modeste, qui expose pour la première fois les meubles de premier ordre, dont il est à la fois le déssinateur et l’exécutant; il marche sur la voie tracée par les maîtres tel que Beurdeley et Dasson.’ In 1890, when Durand’s son Frédéric-Louis joined the firm, the name was changed to Durand & Fils. The firm was located at 12 Rue de la Cerisaie, Paris, but subsequently moved in 1900 to 62, Rue Saint-Antoine, previously the hotel de Sully.
Specialising in the production of 18th century style furniture of the finest quality, Gervais-Maximillien-Eugène Durand (b. 1839) worked from a number of workshop locations in Paris during the last quarter of the 19th century. Gervais Durand participated in the 1889 Universal Exhibition where he was awarded a silver medal. A. Picard’s exhibition report stated that, “Mr Durand, cabinet-maker, as skillful as modest, displays for the first time very fine furniture, which has been designed and made by him. He is walking in the footsteps of giants such as Beurdeley and Dasson”.
Durand made almost exclusively reproductions of 18th Century masterpieces. His work may be seen in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Lyon.
Literature:
Mestdagh, Camille, and Pierre Lécoules. L’ameublement d’art français: 1850 – 1900. Paris: Les Éditions de L’Amateur, 2010, pp. 284 – 293 (figs 336, 346 – 7), illustrating the present cabinet as an example of the exquisite craftsmanship of Durand.Ledoux-Lebard, Denise.Le mobilier francais du XIXe siècle, 1795 – 1889: dictionnaire des ébénistes et des menuisiers. Paris: Éditions de l’amateur, 2000; pp 181 – 4.Payne, Christopher. Paris Furniture: The Luxury Market of the 19th Century. Château de Saint-Rémy: Éditions Monelle Hayot, 2018, pp 338 – 41. Gervais-Maximilien-Eugène Durand est un grand ébéniste parisien de la seconde moitié du XIXe siècle et de la Belle-Epoque.Il produit de meubles de style, des meubles Boulle, etc. Les bronzes sont toujours de grande qualité. La comtesse de Biencourt va faire appel à ses services pour meubler ses appartements (mobilier aujourd’hui au musée des Arts décoratifs de Lyon)Au tournant des années 1900, la société s’attaque avec succès au marché américain. De 1920 à 1934, l’atelier dirigé par son fils Frédéric Louis Durand va produire des copies du XVIIIe siècle.1839: Naissance à Paris le 31 juillet dès 1870: débute Rue de la Cerisaie à Paris1878: déménage au 23 rue Beautreillis 1889: médaille d’argent à l’exposition universelle de 18891900: déménage 62 Rue St Antoine dans l’ancien hôtel de Sully, 1902: S’associe avec son fils, la raison sociale devient “Durand et fils” Frédéric Louis Durand (1874 – 1933)1920: Mort de Gervais. Frédéric lui succède et s’associe en même temps avec son propre fils1933: fermeture de la maison
