With the stamp of Joseph

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

On 13 December 2005 at Artcurial in Paris, the stamp of Joseph recorded one of the most remarkable results at auction concerning eighteenth century French furniture, obtained on a flat desk of Louis XV period sold € 6 million before fees. Its uniqueness was to be decorated with porcelain plates.

Many German cabinetmakers had a top role in the history of Parisian furniture. His name, Joseph Baumhauer, being locally difficult to pronounce, the stamp of the master was simply marked "JOSEPH".

For March 26 in Zurich, Koller announces another piece stamped by Joseph. This is a flap secretary, dated circa 1770. It is a cabinet in mahogany "moucheté" opening to mid-body with a tablet. Parallelepiped shape gives it a modern look for this time of the last years of the reign of Louis XV. It is beautifully inlaid with reserves and bronzes. Now, its dimensions: 69 x 40 x 126 cm closed, 69 x 76 x 126 cm with its shelf deployed. It is estimated KCHF 160.

Joseph Baumhauer died in 1772. As it was often the case at that time, his stamp was also used by his son. It can therefore raise a doubt about who of the two signed this furniture, but it has indeed little importance: its origine from the workshop of Joseph is ensured.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The signature was not enough to sell this furniture, which was nice but not prestigious.