"Bergère en cabriolet" stamped Pothier

A rare and important bergère en cabriolet in carved and moulded beech painted white, in gondola shape, very nicely carved with foliage, flower-heads, rose and knotted ribbons. The form of chair-back known as en cabriolet appeared in the middle of the 18th century. It is not flat, as in the form called à la Reine, but incurved, and the rear of the seat forms a semicircle. In order to avoid overbalancing when leaning against the back, the rear legs have to be splayed in a proportion corresponding to the curve of the back, as shown on this model by Pothier. The front legs are scrolled.

Stamped: Jean-Jacques Pothier, master craftsman in 1750.
Louis XV – Louis XVI Transition period, second half of the 18th century, Paris, France.

Established for more than thirty years Mazarine street then Bourbon-Villeneuve street, his diversified work distinguishes by an outstanding quality in the making, joining and carving. His very sober Louis XV seats show remarkable versatility in their lines and fluidity in their moulding. Jean-Jacques Pothier and the famous craftsman Georges Jacob seem to have collaborated in the creation of seats, as we know similar works stamped by one or the other. He was also among the firsts to apply the neoclassical style to seats, creating thus some masterpieces in the Transition style.