A Louis XV bergere by Barthelémy-Jean Pinson.

A Louis XV period cabriolet bergère
beechwood
Stamped B.I.PINSON under the seat rail
Paris circa 1750
Barthélemy-Jean Pinson, received master in Paris circa 1735
Upholstered in wool needlework tapestry with multicoloured Indienne patern on an emerald green background


This beautiful bergère, with its sinuous lines and curved frame, is distinguished by the supple design of its whiplash-shaped armrests (coup de fouet) and its beautiful carved decoration of symmetrical cartouches. In the absence of Pinson's signature, it would have been tempting to attribute this chair to the Tilliards, given that the decorative scheme of cartouches centred on a heart is a hallmark of their workshop. At the very least, an examination of this armchair allows us to understand that Barthélemy Jean Pinson was one of those who borrowed certain formulas from the Tilliards. Perhaps was he even one of their subcontractors.

Barthélemy Jean Pinson, son of Jean Pinson, master joiner in the parish of Bonne-Nouvelle, was awarded a master's degree in Paris around 1735. In January 1733, while on his tour of France and still a journeyman joiner, he married Nicole Sicardot in Dijon, the daughter of a winegrower from Fontaine les Dijon[1]. In 1742, he was listed as a master joiner established on rue de Cléry[2], and later moved his business to the Faubourg Saint-Antoine district, appearing in a deed dated 1749 as a master joiner established on rue de Charonne[3]. Our bergère dates from this period in the rue de Charonne, around 1750, as can be seen from the two Jurande punches on either side of the stamp. The work of this carpenter is still relatively unknown. The Comte de Salverte and Jean de Nicolaÿ both mention chairs of very good quality. His stamp is rare and the unpublished biographical details that we quote are the result of recent archival research.
The Tilliards, based on rue de Cléry, ran one of the capital's leading joinery workshops under Louis XV. Ordinary joiners to the Garde Meubles de la Couronne, they were one of the most sought-after workshops in Paris and their work was notable for the high quality of its carving. The Tilliards called on sculptors as renowned as Nicolas Heurtaud before 1753, Roumier, Damien Quintel and Toussaint Foliot.


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[1] AD21, Registres Paroissiaux Dijon, Saint-Jean, Janvier 1733
[2] Archives Nationales, Minutier Central, ET/XXX/286/Lebrun Georges Claude, fichier 2A2. Barthélemey Jean Pinson, maître menuisier, demeurant rue de Cléry est cité dans un acte du 30/05/1742
[3] Archives Nationales, Minutier Central, ET/XXVIII/211/Lebrun Georges Claude. Barthèlemey Jean Pinson, maitre menuisier demeurant rue de Charonne est cité dans une procuration actée le 21/03/1749