This thorough video discusses the troublesome 19th century as it pertains to collectors of "antique" or decorative art furniture from the past. The key is in discerning between pre-industrial art quality pieces (such as these exceptional chairs), and the vast majority of 19th century factory pieces. We explore this topic in the presentation of these museum quality armchairs from the 1830s (a period considered pejoratively "late" in the traditional timeline of the decorative arts) which are signed nevertheless by one of the great names in furniture history. Georges-Alphonse Jacob-Desmalter (1799-1870) was the last of the celebrated Jacob family of master furniture makers. He took over the family workshop in 1825 (the same year he delivered pieces to King Georges IV of England) and now today his pieces are published and conserved in major museums worldwide.

The video thus sheds light on this under-appreciated period of the 1830s, by showing how many great pieces from this decade are not different in nature from the highest quality pieces of the previous decades which are already thoroughly appreciated. I hope the video will also provide an overview about Jacob furniture, while preserving these specific pieces online, and while helping new collectors better understand what to look for in the vast and vague "19th century."

Many thanks to all viewers and subscribers,

Cole
Myers and Monroe, LLC