Empire Armchairs, Stamped Henri Jacob (Maître 1779), France, Early 19th Century

Two Empire armchairs. The frames are characterized by a clear Neoclassical design, with winged caryatids supporting the straight armrests. The armchairs were reupholstered with a high-quality green fabric featuring a gold diamond pattern, and the frames were restored. 

The chairs are stamped “H. Jacob” on the frames. In addition, some of the frames retain original paper labels inscribed: “À la Gerbe d’Or, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, N° 276, ANDRY jeune, à Paris”. These refer to a Parisian upholsterer and furniture dealer in the important furniture-making district of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine. Henri Jacob (1753–1824), maître in 1779, was a cousin of the renowned royal cabinetmaker Georges Jacob. He operated workshops in the Rue de Bourbon-Villeneuve (until 1799) and the Rue de l’Échiquier (until 1806). Contemporary sources such as the Almanach du commerce de Paris (1815) document the close connection to Parisian furniture dealers and upholsterers in the area surrounding the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine.