Perret & Vibert, Japonist salon furniture with Noh theater masks, Late 19th century, France

This splendid set, composed of a settee, two chairs, and a stool by the French manufacturer Perret & Vibert, reflects the growing influence of Asia in 19th-century decorative arts. Made of bamboo trunks and roots, lacquer panels, and inlaid ceramic “Noh” style masks, the ensemble stands out from simpler, quadrangular-shaped furniture.

To break any sense of monotony and bring greater originality to the structure, Perret & Vibert introduced numerous geometric cut-outs on the backrests and stretchers, disrupting the straight lines. The small ceramic “Noh” masks further enhance the uniqueness of the set and contribute to the clear Japonist character of the design. The lacquer panels also heighten the exotic flair of the seating. As was customary, Perret & Vibert reused fragments of panels and chests, cutting them to integrate black and gold lacquers into the fronts of their furniture and seating pieces.