A superb Empire gilt bronze mounted Cuban mahogany console by Alexandre Maigret, stamped twice MAIGRET, with beautiful bronze mounts attributed to the eminent bronzier, Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), the original rectangular marble top above a frieze drawer ornamented with bronze mounts centred by a Medusa mask, supported on either side by curved pilasters with elaborate gilt bronze mounts before an original mirrored back on a concave-fronted base

Paris, date circa 1810

Height 90 cm, length 130 cm, depth 50 cm.

Alexandre Maigret (fl. 1775-1826) first appeared as a tapissier and ébéniste in about 1775-80, when he was established at 20 rue Vivienne, Paris from where he sold meubles d’ébésterie as well other items such as mirrors, and gilt bronzes, especially those from the factory of Feuchères et Fossey. During the Empire Maigret established himself as an important supplier to the Garde-Meuble, principally as a tapissier. He also had an ébénisterie workshop, where he created many marvellous objects to furnish the Imperial Palaces. In addition Maigret became the principal supplier of embroidery frames to the Empress Marie-Louise. In 1812 Maigret applied in writing for the title of tapissier et fabricant de meubles d’ébénisterie de Sa Majesté l’Empereur et Roi. In so doing he noted that for 30 years he had been the supplier to the ‘administration des postes’ and that since 14^th September 1805 he had supplied the Mobilier de la Couronne. Furthermore he listed all the pieces of furniture he had made for the many Imperial households. They included various châteaux at Saint-Cloud, Strasbourg, Laeken, Versailles, the Trianons, the Tuileries and Meudon, which he noted was furnished entirely by him in items made from native woods. Maigret also cited other items made by him for Fontainebleau, where he furnished the apartment of Madame Mère as well as rooms at Compiègne, Rambouillet, Marrac and others. While some of these items remain in their original situ, others have been subsequently dispersed. In addition one can find a number of examples from his oeuvre at the Musée de Mobilier National.

Maigret eventually obtained his coveted title of tapissier et fabricant de meubles d’ébénisterie de S. M. l’Empereur et Roi in 1813. In granting it the duc de Cadore noted that he hoped that this esteemed title would give Maigret reason to modify future bills so as to avoid the auditors of the Garde-Meuble being forced to reduce them. Maigret held his title up until 1817. However three years earlier in 1814 the government suspended his payments, which inevitably caused Maigret great distress, especially as he could not seek financial help from his family as they lived in an area of France at war with the enemy.

Under the Restauration, Maigret received very few commissions from the Garde-Meuble, so in 1824, wishing for early retirement he left his enterprise to his son, Alexandre-François Maigret (fl. 1816-53). Despite handing the business to his son, Maigret was still not ready for complete retirement. He had retained a number of his finest pieces of furniture, which as here were ornamented with the highest quality gilt bronze mounts, which he endeavored to sell to the Garde-Meuble. He entered a long correspondence with the Baron de Ville-d’Avray, who was disinclined to do business. However the inspector of the Garde-Meuble was very keen to purchase Maigret’s pieces; he vouched for his honesty and the quality of his work, which he noted was of considerable merit, he also added, “I know his shops. He has lots of beautiful pieces, which might be suitable to us”. Unfortunately lack of funds initially led to a refusal but eventually in 1826 Maigret sold various pieces to the King as well as 18 ‘tapis de la Savonnerie’, bearing the French coat of arms and numerous fleurs-de-lis. In November 1826 Maigret finally retired and moved into an apartment in the courtyard of 20 rue Vivienne, where his son continued the business until 1844.