19th Century Monumental Carved Walnut Mirrored French Buffet by Guéret Frères

Renowned for their exquisite wood carving, Guéret Frères truly made their statement piece, given the utterly monumental size and abundance of sculpting of this buffet.

The buffet’s size is clearly meant for a castle as opposed to a city mansion. For example, the breakfront base of this Buffet Desserte, with its rounded corners, has a working height of 113 cm! A masterpiece celebrating the art of woodcarving.

Base:
The base’s curved doors are covered with rounded dark green Verde Antico marble panels set in carved coquilles and gilded wood banding. The frieze, above the four doors flanking a central displaying niche, has five drawers, all decorated with shell-shaped ornaments. Two scrolled consoles on claw feet frame the central displaying niche of the base.

Top:
The superstructure is divided into three mirrored segments, each mirror separated by carved pilasters with Corinthian-inspired capitals and shelves supported by acanthus-leafed consoles, surrounded by ebonized trims. The sides of the shelved superstructure are decorated with scrolls and lion heads. The columns between the mirrors bear carved wooden poultry and hunting trophies, again confirming that this buffet was designed for a hunting chateau. The mirrored shelf top still has the original antique and beautiful, mildly weathered Mercure mirrors and gilded trims (photos of the mirror glass can be sent upon request).

Above the mirrors are lion heads, and above the central mirror is a moon-bearing portrait of Diana the huntress or Artemis, goddess of the hunt and patroness of the countryside. The crown with scrolls and foliage, ribbon-tied flower garlands with pomegranate, and two reclining putti. All the carvings are executed with the most exquisite and refined detail.

Signatures and maker’s marks:
This piece of furniture has the master’s name; “Guéret Frères Paris 216 rue de Lafayette.” The piece is stamped in ink as well as stamped in relief on multiple parts of the buffet and also bears the maker’s name etched on every lock. Complete with keys.

Materials:
Carved walnut, marble, ebonized wood, gilded wood, mirrored glass, bronze

Provenance:
A private chateau in Forêt de Saint Germain-en-Laye, situated 20 km from Versailles and 30 km from Paris, France. Acquired directly from the family that has owned the castle for over 150 years. This piece has never been traded before!

Measurements:
Overall: Width 390 cm x Height 373 cm x Depth 76 cm. Base: Width 390 cm x Height 113 cm x Depth 76 cm (transports in one piece). Superstructure: Width 373 cm x Height 260 cm x Depth 48 cm (transports in segments).

Style:
Napoleon III (Of the Period)

Info on artist:
The Messrs Guéret furniture manufactory was founded by Denis-Desiré (born in 1828) and Onésimus (born in 1830) in 1853 at 7 rue Buffault in Paris, trading as “Guéret Frères”. Subsequently trading from 5 Blvd. de la Madeleine in 1863, and then moving to 216 Rue Lafayette in 1870. From 1877, the company’s title became “Guéret Jeune et Cie” and its activity continued until 1900.
Examples of their work may be seen in the Musée Condé, Chantilly, Musée d’Orsay, San Francisco Museum of Fine Art, and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

Guéret was awarded the Légion d’honneur at the 1867 exhibition, where the firm exhibited a carved display cabinet in an eclectic style which bears distinct similarities to this buffet. Excelling in the art of carved furniture, the firm was awarded the gold medal for their craftsmanship.

Dimensions total:
w 390 x d 76 x h 373 cm
Dimensions base:
w 390 x d 76 x h 113 cm
Dimensions top with mirror:
w 373 x d 48 x h 260 cm