Large mahogany console and mahogany veneer from the Empire period, stamped Jacob d rue Meslée , association between Georges Jacob and his son François Honoré Georges Jacob Desmalter between 1803 and 1813.
The appearance of this model on foot in Leonine claw console, even if frequently adopted under Louis XVI for chimney frames, originated at the beginning of the Consulate.
During this period, all of Paris was Etruscan and the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum in the middle of the 18th century accelerated this taste for the Ancient.
While retaining the distinctive and recognizable attributes of this style, this large and elegant console is adorned with two uprights, each with a generous sculpted scroll of scrolls, palmettes and a rosette in the centre.
The belt is decorated with a large drawer whose interior is covered with maple veneer.
Beautiful Leonine claw feet on the front and pilaster posts on the back. 
Very beautiful turquin grey marble with triple throat, rare enough to be emphasized. 
This remarkable model of cabinetmaking, both powerful and sober, was created by the Jacob brothers (Jacob.Frères Meslée between 1796 and 1803) from the very beginning of the Consulate. 
On the death of the eldest, Georges Jacob and François-Honoré-Georges Jacob Desmalter continued to produce this model under the banner "Jacob-Desmalter et Cie" between 1803 and 1813.

Several listed consoles of this family of cabinetmakers have a similar composition:
- a very similar console made of carved and gilded wood delivered in 1810 to the Duke of Frioul, the tiles. Illustrated in: Le Mobilier de Versailles, masterpieces of the 19th century, JP Samoyault éditions Faton, page 121.
-Several similar consoles, delivered by Jacob-Desmalter and Georges Jacob, are illustrated and detailed in Jean-Pierre Samoyault’s "Le mobilier français Consulat et Empire", at page 215, figures 370, 371 and 373.

- a pair of very close consoles, also stamped, sold at Sotheby’s, New York, on 22 October 2005, lot 103.
- an identical, smaller console, stamped Jacob Frères rue Meslée, sold at Artcurial on 15 December 2009, lot 134.
- a pair of very similar consoles, sold at Aguttes on May 25, 2015, lot 300.

Good state of preservation. 

Stamped JACOB D RUE MESLÉE (1803-1813).
Faded stamp, photo taken in razor light.

Empire Era. 

George II Jacob and François-Honoré-Georges Jacob, known as Jacob-Desmalter (1770-1841), both sons of Georges Jacob, took over their father’s workshops following his bankruptcy in 1796.In 1803, after the death of his older brother Georges II Jacob, the name Jacob-Brothers ended. Georges Jacob Sr (1739-1814) returned to business in partnership with his second son. Between 1803 and 1813, under the name of Jacob-Desmalter, they continued to be the most important purveyors of cabinetry and seats by participating in the furnishings of the main imperial residences.
At the same time as these prestigious commissions from the Garde-Meuble, they maintained privileged links with a rich French and European clientele for whom they designed, in their workshop on Rue Meslée, some of the most beautiful achievements of the time.
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Mobilier Français Consulat et Empire, JP Samoyault, éditions Gourcuff Gradenigo.
- Jacob et son temps, Michel Beurdeley, éditions Monelle Hayot.
- Le Mobilier de Versailles, masterpieces of the 19th century, JP Samoyault éditions Faton.
 
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