Thomas Hache (1664–1747) – Marquetry mirror, Louis XIV period

Beautiful Louis XIV mirror with reverse profile, in marquetry of native woods (elm burl, walnut, sycamore, and bog oak), dating from the late 17th century.
It is inlaid with a magnificent decoration of oak leaves and acanthus leaves, executed using the “sand shading” technique (wood burned with hot sand), allowing for subtle tonal gradations. Geometric reserves framed with light and dark wood stringing, including heart-shaped spandrels in the corners, complete this rich ornamentation. The outer molding is bordered by a frieze alternating light wood and bog oak.
A central molding in ebonized wood, highlighted with light and dark stringing, frames the beveled mercury mirror and contrasts elegantly with the vivid marquetry decoration.
French work from the late 17th century.
Dimensions:
Height: 80.5 cm × Width: 70.5 cm × Depth: 6 cm
Mirror plate: 42.5 × 32.5 cm
Son of Noël Hache, Thomas Hache, like his father before him, undertook a “Tour de France” as a journeyman, according to the custom of the time. He stopped in Chambéry, where he learned Italian-style decoration and polychrome ornamentation, and arrived in Grenoble in 1695. There, he entered the workshop of master cabinetmaker Michel Chevallier. The latter died in 1697, and two years later Thomas married his daughter. In 1720, he officially took over his father-in-law’s workshop on Place Claveyson. He was granted the title of cabinetmaker to the Duke of Orléans, governor of the Dauphiné, and, with the help of his only son Pierre Hache, developed a thriving business and quickly gained great renown.
Unfortunately, due to the absence of a maker’s stamp, few works can be securely attributed to him. Archival records indicate that he supplied the organ case and woodwork for the chapel of the hospital run by the Pères de la Charité. Among his probable productions are large, solid commodes in the Louis XIV or Régence style, covered with marquetry of regional woods in the Italian taste he encountered during his stay in Chambéry.