Médaillier in the form of a chest of drawers. Louis-quinze (style rocaille).

Made in 1739 by the royal Ébéniste Antoine-Robert Gaudreau (c. 1680 – 1746), in documents also Gaudreaus and Gaudreaux.

Médaillier, furniture, Louis-quinze, rocaille, Ébéniste, Gaudreau,
Médaillier. Louis-quinze. Style rocaille. Made by the royal Ébéniste Antoine-Robert Gaudreau 1739.

Médaillier 1739. Louis-quinze (style rocaille).

This piece of furniture, whose top is made of morello cherry marble from Italy, is built like a chest of drawers with two leaves. Medallions on a blue background, accompanied by garlands, ribbons and gilt bronze medals, decorate the curved surfaces. The assembly is supported by four bracketed legs, boldly cut, and disdainful of the straight line. The point of attachment of the legs to the body of the piece of furniture is marked by a ram’s head.

This piece of furniture, and the two corners that accompany it, come from Versailles, where they decorated the Petits appartements of Louis XV; they were to contain the rest of the gold coins from the reign of Louis XIV, which his successor wished to keep close to him. They are mentioned in the Supplement to the Inventory of Crown Furniture, drawn up in 1730.

M. de Champeaux, who studied them (Le Meuble, volume II, pages 137-139), did not recognize the hand of Cressent in the bronzes that decorate them, nor the hand of Gaudreaux, while admitting the hypothesis that the latter could have been the cabinetmaker of the furniture. M. E. Mobilier (Le Mobilier du XVII et XVIII siècle, p. 124) had the good fortune to find Louis XV’s medallion in a collection of drawings, kept in the Prints and Drawings Department of the National Library. He thought he could put the name of the sculptor René-Michel Slodtz in it. An excerpt from the Journal du Garde-Meuble de la Couronne, dated January 10, 1739, proves him right and also gives us the name of the cabinetmaker Gaudreaux, who delivered it to the Royal Garde-Meuble in 1739.

Note:  Costumes De Cour, Règne De Louis XV, d'après Cochin Fils, 1745.

MÉDAILLIER.
Dessin des Slodty.
ÉBÉNISTERIE DE GAUDREAUX (1739).
Bibliothèque nationale. — Cabinet des médaille.

Ce meuble, dont le dessus est de marbre griotte d’Italie, est construit comme une commode à deux battants. Des médaillons sur fond bleu, accompagnés de guirlandes, de rubans et de médailles en bronze doré, décorent les surfaces bombées. L’ensemble est supporté par quatre pieds en consoles, de coupe hardie, et dédaigneux de la ligne droite. Le point d’attache des pieds au corps du meuble est marqué par une tête de bélier.

Ce meuble, et les deux encoignures qui l’accompagnent, proviennent de Versailles, où ils décoraient les Petits appartements de Louis XV; ils devaient contenir la suite des pièces en or du règne de Louis XIV, que son successeur désirait conserver près de lui. On les trouve mentionnés dans le supplément de l’inventaire des meubles de la Couronne, dressé en 1730.

M. de Champeaux, qui les étudia (Le Meuble, volume II, pages 137-139), ne reconnut pas la main de Cressent dans les bronzes qui les décorent, pas plus que la main de Gaudreaux, tout en admettant l’hypothèse que ce dernier aurait pu être l’ébéniste des meubles.
M. E. Mobilier (Le Mobilier du XVII et XVIII siècle, p. 124) eut la bonne fortune de retrouver le médaillier de Louis XV dans un recueil de dessins, conservé au département des Estampes de la Bibliothèque nationale. Il crut pouvoir y mettre le nom du dessinateur René- Michel Slodtz. Un extrait du Journal du Garde-Meuble de la Couronne, du 10 janvier 1739, lui donne raison et nous apprend de plus le nom de l’ébéniste Gaudreaux, qui le livra au Garde-meuble royal en 1739.

Note:  Sleeping and dressing room of a lady. Interior design 1916.

Source: L’exposition rétrospective de l’art décoratif français by Gaston Migeon und Emile Molinier. Paris: Goupil & cie, 1901.

Related


Support and Seduction: The History of Corsets and Bras (Abradale Books) by Beatrice Fontanel.

Thoughout the ages, women's breasts have been subjected to the endless whims of fashion. From the ancient Greeks to Mae West and Madonna, this light-hearted book charts the changing shapes of female beauty. The elegant and amusing images - including fashion drawings, paintings, photographs, and film stills - illustrate the often surprising history of the garments women have worn for support - and seduction.


Leave a Reply

The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty: 40 Projects for Period-Accurate Hairstyles, Makeup and Accessories by Lauren Stowell & Abby Cox.


Seventeenth and Eighteenth-Century Fashion in Detail by Avril Hart & Susan North. From cut and construction to fabric and trimmings.




Auguste Racinet. The Costume History by Françoise Tétart-Vittu.

Racinet's Costume History is an invaluable reference for students, designers, artists, illustrators, and historians; and a rich source of inspiration for anyone with an interest in clothing and style. Originally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet’s Le Costume historique was in its day the most wide-ranging and incisive study of clothing ever attempted.

Covering the world history of costume, dress, and style from antiquity through to the end of the 19th century, the six volume work remains completely unique in its scope and detail. “Some books just scream out to be bought; this is one of them.” ― Vogue.com

The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World Paperback – December 7, 2021
by Virginia Postrel (Author)

From Neanderthal string to 3D knitting, an “expansive” global history that highlights “how textiles truly changed the world” (Wall Street Journal)


FASHIONPEDIA
Fashionpedia - The Visual Dictionary Of Fashion Design

Fashionpedia - The Visual Dictionary Of Fashion Design

FASHIONPEDIA is a visual fashion dictionary covering all the technical terms from style to material to production with illustrations and infographics. It encompasses rich, extensive information and yet is easy to read. Whether you are an industry insider or a fashion connoisseur, FASHIONPEDIA is all you will ever need to navigate the fashion scene.


Textilepedia. The Complete Fabric Guide.

The Textile Manual is an encyclopaedia of textile information, from material to yarn, from fabric structure to the finishing process. Encompassing practical tips for a range of textiles and detailed visuals, this ultra-accessible manual is the perfect companion for fashion aficionados and aspiring fashion designers.


Literature

Couture: then and now Clothes define people. A person's clothing, whether it's a sari, kimono, or business suit, is an essential key to his or her culture, class, personality, or even religion. The Kyoto Costume Institute recognizes the importance of understanding clothing sociologically, historically, and artistically.