Description/    

This stool is a small “living room piece,” according to the definition that Gabriel Frederic Viardot gave to his production in 1878. Resting on four long clawed feet, this object is equipped with two shelves. The shelf placed as a support is surrounded by a latticed décor sculpted in wood. The shelves are perforated with Far Eastern influences and are also visible on the middle of this small furniture piece and are enriched by an ornamental bronze, also perforated. This middle adopts a lively shape and is decorated with ornaments. The completely wooden elements are engraved with small designs of scrolls, particularly on the four legs. The upper shelf, rectangular, is also engraved around its perimeter. The Far Eastern influence is quite evident in this stool, which leads us to compare it to the popularity of Japanese products, very noticeable in France in the years 1860 – 1870. This popularity saw an unprecedented development, in particular after the 1867 World Exposition where the Japanese were present. Here, it is indeed a French production as the signature of Gabriel Viardot is present on one of the legs. 

Gabriel Viardot was a famous Parisian cabinetmaker specializing in the production of “Chinese-Japanese genre” furniture in the last third of the 19th century. He started his career as a wood sculptor in 1849, when he sent some naturalistic décor furniture pieces to the horticultural exposition. He then became the head of a small team of sculptors when he was only 19 years old. In 1853, he had a factory and a furniture store located at 36 and 38 Rambuteau road. At this time, he was working with his brother, Louis Gustave, under the name “Viardot Brothers and Co.” In 1860, he created his own workshop, “G. Viardot” at 5 Grand-Chantier road, and became head of the family business which he kept until 1872. He decided to devote himself to “Chinese-Japanese style furniture,” which he was able to observe mainly at the 1867 World Exposition. At this same exposition, he was awarded four medals. It’s with this production that he was awarded at the 1878 World Exposition with a silver medal. Following that, he practiced consecutively at 15 Chaume road, 3 Archives road in 1878 and 36 Amelot road near the end of the century. His furniture was produced thanks to lacquered and carved panels sent directly from China or Japan and decorated with mother of pearl inlays from Tonkin. He enlivened his furniture with bronze decorations, of which he made all the designs by hand. Over the course of the years, the success only continued to grow, particularly at the expositions of Nice and the 8th exposition of the Central Union of Decorative Arts in 1884. In 1885, he participated in the World Exposition of Antwerp where he obtained a gold medal. At this time, the shop employed 90 – 100 workers, sculptors or cabinetmakers, a lot of who were educated directly by Gabriel Viardot. Following this exposition, he was promoted to the rank of Knight in the Legion of Honor (December 29 1885). In 1889, he was at the World Exposition that took place in Paris and awarded a gold medal. He obtained the same award at the 1900 World Exposition.      

A new company, “G. Viardot and Co.,” made up of Gabriel Viardot and his two children was created in 1890. Because of this, the trademark present on this stool, “G. Viardot,” indicates a period between 1860 and 1880 and we can place the date of production of this piece to around 1880 – 1890. At this time, Viardot’s production becomes less exuberant and marks a return towards symmetry and straight lines. This stool marks this return towards greater sensibility. It is entirely similar to a tea table with two shelves conserved by the Musee d’Orsay (OAO 1653), especially in the two identical legs and similar latticework. The bronze of this stool can be compared to those displayed in a showcase of Viardot, also conserved in the Musee d’Orsay (OAO 1652). Finally, this stool has the same arrangement as the lower part of the cabinet conserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum (W.17:1, 2-1971). This cabinet is signed “G. Viardot” and is dated from 1888, which reassures us in the dating of this stool.