Biennais Desk Lamp...

Collecting is a very research intensive avocation. Having a sharp and informed eyes helps, but the value lies in the ability to dive deeper into archives to find who owns what and who made what.  

Few years ago, I was exposed to the Elysée Palace (French Presidential Palace), in particular the desk of the President, were I saw a pair of lamps that I feel in love with. I knew they were priceless, but I figured that at least knowing about them and possibly acquiring something similar was something my collecting instinct could not give up on easily.

In my research, I was able to trace the origin of the lamps to the work of Martin-Guillaume Biennais (1764-1843), a goldsmith that attracted the attention of Napoleon. Biennais became Napoleon goldsmith, and was commissioned to make court dinner services and other objects.

Martin-Guillaume Biennais was born into a modest family in the Orne region (Lower Normandy), in 1764. He was trained as a craftsman and settled in Paris in 1788 as a carver of small wooden and ivory objects.

Biennais Desk Lamp
Via Smithsonian Libraries

Among the objects that Biennais made for General Bonaparte was a regalia, known as “Charlemagne’s honours” which Napoleon wanted to have near him at his coronation on December 2, 1804. Napoleon appointed Biennais as his First Goldsmith, a honor, that provided him access to imperial family and other high-ranking court officials, who became his clientele

The current lamps as they seat on the French President desk was ordered by King Louis XVIII to be change from the symbols of Empire to those of Monarch.

French President Desk at the Elysée Palace

A version of the lamp made to the strictest of standard is now available from  the house of Odiot, a company founded by Jean-Baptiste Gaspard Odiot in 1690,  based in Paris.  I hope to write more about the house of  Odiot on future entries.

Biennais Desk  Lamp form  Odiot