Marqueteries virtuoses au XIXe siècle, Brevets d’inventions (book)

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Virtuoso marquetry in the 19th century, Patents of inventions (book) by Marc Maison and with the collaboration of Emmanuelle Arnauld. Faton Editions. French version. 2012. Brand new and boxed. – Softcover.

As all research conducted to date in this type of industry has been unsuccessful, and as I am the first to have made this discovery which will offer such great advantages to the luxury trade, I come, Mr. Minister, to claim priority for this new type of inlay.” Julien-Nicolas Rivart, patent of invention dated September 18, 1849. The history of furniture during the Second Empire cannot be separated from technical innovation: the period abounds with inventions in fields as diverse as sawing, veneering, and furniture construction.

For the first time, the authors focus on studying this history from a new angle: that of patents. Indeed, while much research has been undertaken on the history of the concept of industrial property, patents themselves had not previously been the subject of in-depth study regarding their relationship to the decorative arts.

Among the large number of patents filed between 1840 and 1880, five manufacturers focused particularly on transforming ornamentation methods.
– Rivart, in 1849, with porcelain marquetry;
– Cremer in 1850, who used electroplating to create Boulle furniture with more durable veneer;
– Fourdinois, in 1864, combined sculpture and marquetry for the relief veneer of his pieces;
– Duvinage in 1874, revitalized the use of ivory by creating cloisonné mosaics.
– Kayser Sohn. The turn of the 20th century was not without its innovations, as evidenced by Kayser Sohn’s inlays, which again employed electroplating.

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