Carved natural oak. H. 230.5 cm. (90 ¾ in.).
Provenance: private collection.
Literature: Stéphane Faniel (ed.), Le 18e siècle français, Collection Connaissance des Arts, Paris, Réalités Hachette, p. 141, fig. C.
This remarkable set of wood panelling, carved in natural oak and probably intended to adorn an entresol cabinet, given the low overall height of the panels, was executed in Paris around 1725-1730 and can be attributed to Jean-Martin Pelletier, sculptor of the Bâtiment du Roi, , who executed a remarkable set of panelling very similar to ours, dated circa 1724, in the large dining room, once a parade room, of the Hôtel de Noirmoutier, also known as the Hôtel de Sens, located at n°. 138, rue de Grenelle, Paris. Built in 1721-1724 by Jean Courtonne for Antoine-François de La Trémoille (1652-1733), 2nd Duke of Noirmoutier and 1st Duke of Royan, the town house was sold after his death in 1734 to Élisabeth Thérèse Alexandrine of Bourbon-Condé (1705-1765), known as Mademoiselle de Sens, who considerably enlarged the estate, acquiring a number of neighbouring plots of land, and also partly remodelled the interior decoration.
