Jean-Baptiste Hedouin (d. 1783) was an accomplished French cabinetmaker and marquetry inlayer whose refined craftsmanship helped shape the decorative arts of 18th-century Paris. Granted master status on 22 May 1738, Hedouin established his workshop on the bustling rue Traversière-Saint-Antoine, at the heart of the Parisian ébéniste community.
Style and Craftsmanship
Hedouin’s furniture reflects the transition from the Régence to the Louis XV style. His marquetry work often employed geometric patterns — grids, diamonds, and veneers in contrasting woods — that exemplified elegance and precision.
His repertoire included:
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Commodes (the cornerstone of his production)
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Secretaries and desks (both flat and slant-top)
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Bookcases and wardrobes
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Corner cupboards and small decorative pieces
While many of his commodes displayed the bulbous, weighty forms of the Régence style, others embraced the lighter, curving silhouettes of Louis XV furniture, often embellished with gilded bronze mounts.
Two remarkable works diverge from his usual production: a pair of tiered corner cabinets decorated in Chinese lacquer and European polychrome varnish, enriched with rocaille bronzes. These pieces demonstrate Hedouin’s ability to integrate exotic influences into French decorative traditions.
Collaborations and Stamp
Hedouin’s stamp is occasionally found alongside those of other leading Parisian makers, including Migeon, suggesting collaborations with marchands-merciers, the luxury dealers who often coordinated commissions for elite clients.
Surviving Works in Museums
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Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Lyon: A marquetry corner piece veneered in violet wood with gilded bronze mascarons, stamped twice with Hedouin’s mark (No. MAD1542).
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Musée du Louvre, Paris: A small Louis XV commode with floral marquetry and rocaille bronze ornamentation.
Legacy
Jean-Baptiste Hedouin died in 1783, closing a long and successful career on rue Traversière-Saint-Antoine. His furniture, celebrated for its balance of structure, ornament, and refined veneer work, remains an enduring testament to the artistry of the Parisian ébénistes. Today, Hedouin’s pieces are admired in museum collections and sought after by collectors for their elegance, historical significance, and exquisite craftsmanship.
Bibliography
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Pierre Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIème Siècle (Les Editions de l’Amateur, 2002)
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Comte François de Salverte, Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle (Les éditions d’Art et d’Histoire, 1934)
