Perret et Vibert, Japonism style armoire bamboo style and lacquer decor, circa 1880

Perret et Vibert, in the style of.

Large Japonism style armoire in cherry wood and bird’s eye maple veneered, opening by two door leaves in front. Bamboo style rails in turned wood for the whole frame structure. The armoire stands on small cylindrical feet.
The armoire is adorned on each side and on each door leaf by two lacquered panels on a bird’s eye maple veneered background and framed by bamboo style cherry wood rails. Sides panels are equal size set one on top of another; for drop leaves, they’re also organized like that but with a different size: 1/3 bottom – 2/3 top.
Coloured lacquer with relief motif on each panel is in the Japanese style and represents plants, prunus, crane birds, phoenixes on branches surrounded by snakes and insects, near lakes.
Each door leaf opens on three shelves, adjustable. Left door leaf closing with a key.

Work realized in the 1880’s. In the Japanese style furniture, imitating bamboo and using lacquer like they’re were made at the late 19^th century such as Perret et Vibert.

Dimensions : H 260 x W 136 x D 53 cm.

Reference : LS37373401

Close Japanese style furniture are time to time sold on auctions. For an example stamped Balny of a bedroom set, very similar style but without lacquer decoration, see the Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé sale of 2009, lot 672.
Camille Balny, third generation of cabinetmaker with this family name, took over the Balny Jeune Company in 1876, and founded in 1815. He’s rewarded by silver medals on Universal Exhibitions of 1878 and 1889 and was breveted “SGDG” (without government guaranty) in France and abroad.

Perret and Vibert, later “La Maison des Bambous” (*Bamboo’s House) (1872-1994) was a company founded by Alfred Perret and Ernest Vibert. Their shop was rue du Quatre Septembre in Paris. The Company created rattan and wicker furniture, imitating bamboo in a Japanese style. Then it created for a time on a production closer to the Gabriel Viardot (1830-1906) style.
The Company won two silver medals on Universal Exhibition of 1889 and 1990.

For further details about Japonism, Perret et Vibert and Gabriel Viardot, let’s read our article.