19th C. Dresser Ormolu Burl Elm Toilette Table Jacob
Desmalter JACOB D.R.MESLE . Early 19th
Century Empire Ormolu Mounted Burl Elm
“Table de Toilette” Estampille: Stamped: Jacob Desmalter et Cie. JACOB D.R.MESLEE
1803-1813
The Wooden Panel on the Reverse Side of Mirror bears the
following Inscription in faded black Ink: “Napoleon I, Empereur des Francais a
sa Belle Soeur La Reine De Westphalie, Paris 1808” Translation: From Napoleon
I, French Emperor to his sister in law the Queen of Westphalia, Paris 1808.
A Large Front Drawer with Hidden Compartment, and with Carved
wood stoppers. Key still present. The Bronze work is outstanding as expected.
The pictures speak for itself. With Two Pullout Side Drawers. Marble Of the
period with signs of hair cracks , hand carved , overall good condition. Losses,
Cracks and signs of age on the original glass. You are welcome to send you
professional to see it and inspect in person, to create a report.
During the reign of Jerome Bonaparte in Westphalia a French
architect and pupil of Percier, Grandjean de Montigny, re-furnished the castle
of Kassel and the Palace known as Wilhelmshöhe , then temporarily known as
Napoleonshöhe. Some of the furniture for these magnificent rooms was
commissioned from Jacob-Desmalter.
Jacob-Desmalter was the son of Georges Jacob and was
Christened François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter (1770–1841). He took the
name Desmalter from a family property. He received the best training possible
in his father’s workshop, which he took over on his father’s retirement and ran
until 1835.
Queen consort Katharina of Württemberg ( Princess Friederike
Katharina Sophie Dorothea) was Queen consort of
Westphalia by marriage to Jérôme Bonaparte “Napoleon’s younger brother” , who
reigned as King of Westphalia between 1807 and 1813.
Katharina was born in Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire, to
the later King Frederick I of Württemberg and his first wife, Duchess Augusta
of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Her mother, who died when Katharina was five years
old, was a sister of Caroline of Brunswick and a niece of King George III of
the United Kingdom. After the death of Katharina’s mother, her father married
Charlotte, Princess Royal, eldest
daughter of George III and thus a first cousin of his first wife.
In 1803, Württemberg entered into an alliance with France
under Emperor Napoleon I, and one of the terms of the treaty was the marriage
of Katharina with Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoleon’s younger brother. The wedding was
held four years later, on 22 August 1807, at the Royal Palace of Fontainebleau
in France.
Upon marriage, Katharina became Queen consort of the Kingdom
of Westphalia. Reportedly, Katharina and Jérôme bonded strongly and had a happy
marriage, remaining firmly attached to each other.
When the kingdom of Westphalia was dissolved in 1813, she
followed Jerome to France. During the war, she and Désirée Clary took refuge
with Julie Clary at Mortefontaine, and when the allied troops took Paris, they
took refuge in the home of Desirée Clary in the capital.
Height: 64” Width:
34” Depth: 21”
