Known for his elaborately carved chinoiserie and Japonisme furniture inspired by East Asian motifs, Gabriel Viardot was one of France’s most famous cabinetmakers during the late 19th century.
Viardot’s career began in 1849 as a woodcarver for Maison Jeanselme, cabinetmakers to the court of Napoleon III. Shortly after, at age 19, Viardot opened his own business, designing and creating small furniture and decorative objects.
In 1853, Viardot’s enterprise grew into a factory and store, Viardot Frères et Cie, which he operated with his brother Alexandre Laurent. The brothers enjoyed moderate success with their finely sculpted pieces and objects, winning a bronze medal at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris. However, the two parted ways the following year. Alexandre Laurent kept the company, while Viardot began his own firm, called G. Viardot.
Throughout the late 1860s and ’70s, Viardot dedicated himself to designing and producing chinoiserie and Japonisme furniture. Many of his pieces, such as side tables, consoles, pedestal tables and chairs, feature exquisite embellishments in mother-of-pearl, ivory and gilt-bronze and are made with lacquered and embossed panels imported directly from China and Japan. (The art of Japanese lacquer goes back some 9,000 years.) Some of Viardot’s most sculptural creations are his full-length floor mirrors and wall mirrors framed with carved mahogany dragons and cherubs.
Viardot participated in numerous major European exhibitions and fairs, scooping up medals and accolades for his pieces. In 1867, he won four medals at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, followed by a silver medal and gold medal at Antwerp’s Universal Exposition in 1878 and 1884, respectively. He also won gold medals at Paris’s Exposition Universelle in 1889 and 1900. In 1885, Viardot was named Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur.
By 1880, Viardot’s company had become one of the largest furniture manufacturers in Paris, with up to 100 sculptors and cabinetmakers employed. Following his death in 1906, Viardot’s son Gabriel Léon Jules Viardot and son-in-law Georges Isidore Jean Dupont took over operations. However, competition from other furniture makers and the rise of Art Nouveau led to the company’s eventual closure.
Viardot’s pieces continue to be highly sought by interior designers and collectors of late 19th-century furniture.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of antique Gabriel Viardot mirrors, tables and decorative objects.
19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed
Located in Marbella, ES
This is a wonderful example of a canopy bed from Shanghai Province, China. Made of Chinese Northern Elm, this bed features hoofed feet and multiple floral carvings. The exterior ...
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Canopy Bed from Shanxi, China
Located in Singapore, SG
An antique canopy bed from Shanxi province made of Elm wood. This bed has all the attention focused on the front carvings while keeping a very simpl...
Rattan, Elm
Late 19th Century English Satinwood Twin Canopy Bed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 19th-century English twin canopy bed in the campaign style, featuring dark satinwood straining and a simple curved headboard. Carved urn finials enhance its refined appearance, ...
Satinwood
$7,000
H 76.5 in W 27.5 in D 48 in
Anglo-Indian Youth Canopy Bed with C&C Milano Bedding, Late 19th Century
Located in Topanga, CA
A rare late 1800s Anglo-Indian youth canopy bed, beautifully crafted with both form and function. The bed features double caned sides, with one side hinged for easy access, and a bas...
Brass
Empire Canopy Bed Napoleon III 19th Century
By Empire Furniture
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire Canopy bed France Napoleon III From the 19th Century, In mahogany wood with appliqués in gilded bronze and classical figures. Fluted columns with Corinthian capitals. Ceilin...
Wood
$73,342
H 107.09 in W 70.48 in D 83.47 in
Henri-Auguste Fourdinois - Exceptional Canopy Bed Know as François 1st Bed
Located in Beaune, FR
Four-poster bed said to belong to François I Carved walnut 19th century Around 1880 Signed « Henri August FOURDINOIS » Spectacular four-poster bed said to be of Francis I in walnut carved with the allegory of war and love. It is made up of four distaffs connected by four crosspieces continuing with baluster feet. The head distaffs are decorated with two warriors sculpted in the round identified as Mars and Bellona . The foot distaffs present a superposition of baluster motifs, barrels and rings enriched with plant ornaments. They also support the bed canopy composed of alternating modillions and mascarons connected by garlands and forming a cornice. Finally, the bedside bears a richly carved decoration in relief of various floral and plant motifs in garlands and scrolls, a lion's head, dolphins, masks, draperies and chimeras. Dimensions Total height 2m71.5 Character height 91cm Total width at the top from corner to corner of the canopy 1m79 Height of top crosspiece with character heads 21cm Column height only 2m05 Height of the crosspieces for the box spring from the ground to the top 49.5cm Height from the ground to the bottom of the crosspiece 30cm Indoor sleeping - 1m52 × L 1m96 Exterior width from sleeper to sleeper 1m67 Exterior length 2m12.5 Headboard height 1 m78 ________________________________ Lit à baldaquin...
Walnut
Antique Chinese Carved Canopy Bed with Alcove
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mid to late 19th century, elaborately carved, antique Chinese bed Chambers was used to greet visitors and usually was furnished with two chairs and a cente...
Lacquer, Wood
$4,231Sale Price|50% Off
H 77.56 in W 48.43 in D 77.56 in
King Jose style bed in Noble Wood - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
King Jose style bed in Noble Wood - 19th century. Portuguese from the 18th century; in Noble Wood with carvings. Headboard with central medallion upholstered in damask fabric. Dimens...
Wood
$9,026Sale Price|20% Off
H 92.13 in W 84.65 in D 82.68 in
Monumental Chinese Carved Wedding Canopy Bed, 19th Century
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
China, 19th Century An exceptional and monumental Chinese wedding canopy bed, masterfully crafted in richly carved wood with a deep red lacquered finish, dating to the 19th century....
Wood
Portuguese Canopy Bed
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rare Canopy bed in mahogany, richly carved with palm leaves, foliage and plants. The headboard is decorated with a nice painting representing the Virgin sur...
Mahogany, Rosewood
