A Six-piece Ballroom Suite

c. 1853

A six-piece ballroom suite (American, c. 1853 and c. 1860) made by Léon Marcotte (American, born in France, 1824-1887). The suite of curvilinear Louis XV style furniture is made up of a large sofa (.1), two armchairs (.2-.3), two side chairs (.4-.5), and a table (.6). All the pieces are composed of ebonized beechwood with foliate ormolu mounts. The seat furniture is upholstered in a reproduction cotton silk screen fabric by Schumacher of roses on a pale gold ground.

.1 = The sofa has a shaped back with a molded edge centered by an ormolu foliate mount. The armrests sit on curved supports. The shaped apron and the knees of the front legs have applied foliate mounts. The front four legs are cabriole in shape and end in scroll feet. The back, closed sides, and seat are all upholstered.

.2 -.3 = The pair of armchairs have molded chair backs centered by a foliate ormolu mount. The shaped seat rail and front knees are also decorated with applied foliate ormolu mounts. The open armrests of the armchairs stand on curved supports. The chairs stand on four legs, the front two are cabriole and end in scroll feet raised on casters, the cylindrical rear legs are plain and slightly splayed. The backs, seats, and padded armrests are upholstered.

.4-.5 = The pair of side chairs are of a similar design as above, lacking armrests.

.6 = The table comes from a different suite and is of a later date, c. 1860. It has a shaped top inlaid with gilt boullework and a molded overhanging edge. The shaped apron is decorated with large foliate ormolu mounts centering all four sides and flanking ormolu mounts paneling the sides. The table stands on four cabriole legs with foliate mounts at the knees and running the length of the legs. The legs are raised on casters.

The French born furniture maker Léon Marcotte arrived in New York in 1848 with his brother-in-law Auguste Ringuet-Leprince. Together they ran the decorating firm Ringuet-Leprince and L. Marcotte. Marcotte ran the New York end of the partnership while Ringuet-Leprince travelled back and forth to Paris. The firm supplied their clients with the latest French styles in household furnishings. After Ringuet-Leprince retired in 1860 the firm became known as L. Marcotte and Company.

American

ebonized beechwood

cast brass mounts

cotton and silk screened upholstery

.1 (sofa) = 43" x 72" x 27"

.2-.3 (armchairs) = 40.5" x 23"x 20"

.4-.5 (side chairs) = 38.5" x 20" x 18.125"

.6 (table) = 30.5" x 58.5" x 34.5"

Purchased by The Preservation Society of Newport County, 1975.

PSNC.4256.1 - .6

PSNC.4249

PSNC.4252.1-.2

PSNC.4250.1-.3

PSNC.11687