An Important Pair of Louis XVI Style Vitrines by Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener

An Important Pair of Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Vitrines with Wedgwood Jasperware Plaques, by Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener.

Stamped 'NZ', 'NZ.309' and 'ZJ' to the reverse of the bronze mounts.  Signed to the reverse of the lockplate 'Mon THEAU THIEFFINE Succ./SERRURIER PARIS'.

This rare pair of vitrines, each have a shaped Carrera marble top above a frieze centred by a round classical Jasperware plaque flanked by gilt-bronze putti figures and scrolling acanthus running pattern.  Below is a gilt-bronze framed bevelled glass door above a panel centred by a finely modelled Jasperware plaque of a putto representing the seasons.  The door is flanked to either side by gilt-bronze monnaie pattern and headed by a pair of exceptionally fine female canephor figures.  The shaped sides have corresponding bevelled glass panels and the vitrine is raised on tapering fluted legs.  

Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener (1848- 1895) was one of the leading furniture makers of the end of the nineteenth century.  Of German extraction he established a very successful studio in Paris,  producing the very finest furniture, often inspired by the public collections in France.  He employed as his sculptor, Léon Messagé, the genius Parisian sculptor.

Zwieners pieces were acquired by many of the leading collectors of the nineteenth century.  In particular he supplied his interpretation of the famous Bureau du Roi to Ludwig II at Herrenchiemsee, which was placed in the King's study in 1884.  

Zwiener exhibited at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle, where he was awarded a gold medal, for a stand which included an exceptional cabinet designed by Messagé (illustrated in Meyer, pl. H14). 

In 1898, Zwiener received an extensive Royal commission from the King of Prussia, and was recalled to Berlin as the King would not order furniture from overseas makers when furnishing his palaces, preferring to order work only from native Germans.   The Berlin Sculptor Otto Rohloff, whose bronze work is very similar to that of Messagé, may well have been hired by Zwiener for this Royal commission. 

Literature:
Payne, Christopher. Paris Furniture: The Luxury Market of the 19th Century, Editions Monelle Hayot (Saint-Remy-en-l'Eau), 2018; p. 568

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Price on application

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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