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East India Company Furniture
The origin of the East India Companies furniture is riddled
with controversy. Most believe the opinion of Le Comte de
Salvère, the former patron of Antiquarians in France. The
East India Companies including the British, Dutch, Swedish
& French amongst others, were formed and charged with
creating trade routes with all countries to the east of the Cape
of Good Hope and to the west of the Straits of Magellan. The
first to be formed was the British in 1600, quickly followed
by the Dutch in 1602 and later in the century by the French
in 1664. Some of the East India Companies established by the
different colonial powers operated for over two hundred years.
Financial difficulties lead to the dissolution of The French East
India Company in 1769, leaving history to appreciate this
unique furniture style.
Salvère's was of the opinion that when soldiers from foreign
colonies were posted to far away parts of India (Pondicherry,
Karichal, Mahe, Chandernagore and Mumbai), they were
nostalgic for their furniture which they had left behind in
Europe. The soldiers therefore felt the need to produce
sketches which were then passed on to the talented Indian
Artisans to reproduce. The Artisans also began adding their
own touch of creativity to the furniture.
Collectors all over the world look at the East Indian Company
furniture as a marvellous blend of different cultures making
it this special style of furniture we see today. For example,
you may see Louis XV furniture with a Hindu Temple-shaped
cornice or a cabinet of Louis Philippe style decorated with
Empire motifs; there are different juxtapositions depending
on the artisans' inspiration. The artisans commonly used
tropical fruit such as pineapples and mangoes in their designs.
The woods used were always rich hardwood species such as
Rosewood, Ebony, Teak and Mahogany.
Mauritius has very few examples of the French style East
India Company furniture. A cupboard and the bed of Mahé
de Labourdonnais, found at the Mahebourg Museum, are
amongst the rare examples. However, there are many fine
examples of British influenced furniture, especially of the
Regency period. A French twist is often found adorning doors
with Breton motifs such as the Soleil Breton, lilies and or
palmettos.
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