Viewing page 39 of 52

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

                                 -8-
Commodes by Weisweiler, which in their intimate union of opulence and simplicity document the master's style in the most magnificent manner. Then there are the beautiful Writing-desk by Perrier, the singular pair of Beneman Commodes, and the exceptionally fine Roll-top Table, which is easily identified as a characteristical work by David Roentgen. With the exception of a delicate lacquer piece veneer and marquetry dominate the decoration which in all of these pieces of furniture stands out by the excellency of the ormolu mounts. A Bureau-plat and several small tables are fully equal to them in quality, whereas for sofas and chairs the highest quality of carving and upholstery was decisive  for their selection. In this connection I mention of signed pieces of furniture an Armchair by Delaisement and Bergere by Jacob. Alongside with the drawing-room suites and fauteuils with Beauvis covers - partly depicting the Fables by La Fontaine and partly Chinamen or gorgeous flowers - there are several in "point" embroidery. It is here where I have to remind you of a piece of furniture which certainly  neither needs a high recommendation nor allows that a characteristic of its unique and singular effect is given in only a few words, and whose objective artistic quality is just as high as its inciting subjective charm: this is the so-called Parrot-Sofa. Its wooden frame is of natural colour and is carved in the pliant, pleasing and somewhat repressing forms of best Regency carving, the wide surfaces of the seat and back are covered with a tapestry woven in bright and gay colours depicting a fantastical group of plants on which parrots of every kind and other exotic birds seem to move about as if in a