Pair of Louis XVI bergères stamped NDLPS for Nicolas-Pierre DELAPORTE, 18th

Pair of beechwood chairs molded, carved and lacquered, with cabriolet back, resting on legs tapered, fluted and cabled.

N.DLP.S stamp on each, for Nicolas-Pierre Delaporte (Nicolas De La Porte Sculpsit).

Louis XVI period.

Covered with a green silk fittings.

Provenance: Former collection Max Linder, then Maud Linder by descent.



Sometimes referred to as "Laporte" or "La Porte", the DELAPORTE are, since the late seventeenth century, a dynasty of Parisian joiners whose activity will cover the entire eighteenth century.

The N.DLP.S stamp is that of Nicolas-Pierre DELAPORTE. It is frequently associated with that of the joiner Martin JULLIEN.
Its production consists of classic Louis XVI chairs, with well balanced proportions and very neat workmanship. The decor is limited to moldings, rosettes dice assembly and sometimes twisted grooves of the feet. As for Martin JULLIEN, the name Georges JACOB has been mentioned, as this commendable comparison can only really apply to some of his exceptional models.


This pair of seats was in the mansion that filmmaker Max LINDER (December 16, 1883, Saint-Loubès - November 1, 1925, Paris) had built in Neuilly.

Max LINDER was one of the greatest silent comedy stars. Discovered by Charles Pathé in 1905, he will be a screenwriter, director and actor. He created in 1910 the character of "Max", a young dandy always involved in crazy adventures, who will become a leading film attraction and is considered the first international film star. In particular, he will influence Charlie Chaplin's creation of Charlot's character. He will own and operate a movie theater bearing his name in Paris, which still exists.

The mansion and the collections he housed will be passed on to his only daughter Maud by succession. She will spend her life rediscovering and promoting the work of her father. She will live in the house until her death, without descendants, on October 25, 2017.

MUSEUMS :

• VERSAILLES, CHÂTEAUX DE VERSAILLES ET DE TRIANON – "Lit à la turque en bois sculpté et doré".
• BORDEAUX, MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS – "Fauteuil en cabriolet en hêtre mouluré sculpté et laqué".
• NEW-YORK, METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ARTS – "Paire de sièges Louis XVI en hêtre mouluré, sculpté et laqué" (ca 1785).


BIBLIOGRAPHY

• KJELLBERG Pierre, "Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe siècle", Les Éditions de l’Amateur, 2008.
• SALVERTE Comte François de, "Les Ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle", Les Éditions d’Art et d’Histoire, 1934.