French Convertible Music Stand by N. Grevenich. Paris Late 18th Century

Nicolas Grevenich
Convertible music stand
France, last quarter 18th century
Bois de rose and oak

h 26.77 in; when open h max 44.09 in
Top: 16.14 in x 12.79 in; when open 16.14 in x 13.38 in
h 68 cm; h when open max 112 cm
Top: 41 cm x 32.5 cm; when open 41 cm x 34 cm

A highly worn stamp under the tripod base bears the partial inscription “N ....ENICH”
State of conservation: good

Built of oak completely finished in bois de rose veneer, the stand is composed of a rectangular top supported on an octagonal column with tripod feet on casters.
By means of rather complex mechanisms, it is possible to increase the height by half, tilt the top and transform it into a two-sided lectern/music stand with adjustable inclination.

We have little biographical information about Nicolas Grevenich: he was probably born in the Rhine area of Germany but lived and worked almost his whole life in Paris, where he was named maître in 1768.
Documentary sources reveal that he was still receiving important commissions from the royal Garde-meuble in 1791, especially for the Tuileries Palace. His workshop was still active during the Empire period.

Bibliography:
DE SALVERTE F., Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle – leurs oeuvres et leurs marques, Paris 1953, pp. 140-141.