Bamboo and leather set – Perret & Vibert, circa 1880

This Perret and Vibert set in bamboo frame and leather seat and back is composed of two armchairs, two chairs and a bench. It is made of bamboo branches. The legs are gathered by two parallel bamboo branches with other branches placed vertically. This model is repeated under the backrest. The top of the backrest ends on each side with the parallel and vertical junction of the bamboo ending in two points. This ensemble is reminiscent of Asian furniture, illustrating the appeal of the Far East repertoire to the West.

Founded by Ernest Vibert and Robert Perret, the Maison des Bambous opened in 1872 at 33, rue du Quatre Septembre. The company offers from its beginnings a variety of objects in the Chinese taste as well as many pieces of furniture, chairs, tables, made of bamboos and braided rush. On the strength of its success, the company turned towards the Asian antiques trade at the beginning of the 1890s, notably under the impetus of Ernest’s son, Gaston Vibert.

But the company is mainly known for its creations in rattan, which is suitable for winter gardens in the city, as well as for country houses or seaside villas. The company is present at numerous exhibitions and regularly wins awards for these « graceful and original » models, of which « there is only the embarrassment of choice ». The House of Bamboo won an award at the international exhibition in Moscow in 1891, won a gold medal at the horticultural competition of the city of Paris in 1893. It is present at the colonial exhibition of Lyon in 1894 where is presented « a very rich collection of inlaid bamboos ».