Monday 3 March 2008

King of the Heteroclites

French architect and designer Jean-Charles Moreux (1889-1956). Drawing upon classical, baroque, and rococo styles Moreux introduced aspects of the marvelous into staid architecture and everyday interiors. The everyday, for him, meant creating collective dwellings that were more poetic than Le Corbusier's "machines for living".
Among Moreux's noted clients were the Baron Robert de Rothschild, the fashion designers Raphael and Jacques Doucet, and the novelist Colette.


A cabinet of natural history in the living room of Robert Bienvenu, Rouen, 1942-1947.


The dining room of Raphael Lopez, Ville d'Avray.


35, avenue Matignon, Paris, 1935.


Living room of Sonia Batcheff.


The Paris apartment of Georges Lang, an example of a collaboration between Moreux and Bolette Natanson.




Moreux was also drawn to, and very successful at, creating landscapes and gardens.
A hippopotamus skull as the feature of a fountain. Ardeche, France.
A mask done for the gardens of Gobleins, Paris.





Examples of Moreux's collaboration with Bolette Natanson for her boutique Les Cadres.

Jean-Charles Moreux, by Susan Day.
----------------
Now playing: Kate Bush - King of the Mountain
via FoxyTunes

12 comments:

An Aesthete's Lament said...

Love the birds behind glass in the López dining room. And the Natanson candlesticks. Very splendid.

mamacita said...

I can't believe those interiors are 60 and 70 years old. They could have been done yesterday, except that no one is doing anything that good right now. They're too busy trying to outdo each other in the "eclectic" department, with little regard for the visual harmony that makes these rooms so perfect.

By the way, have you seen the new O at Home? It has a beautiful Lanvin-blue office that you might like.

HOBAC said...

Mamacita - hope you don't mind, but I am going to quote you in the near future.

HOBAC said...

AL - Those very same candlesticks came up on 1stdibs recently - heart stopping.

The Peak of Chic said...

Fabulous post HOBAC! The Batcheff living room has long been a favorite, but now I'm taken with the room in the avenue Matignon apartment. It's just wonderful.

mamacita said...

Go right ahead, House.

Pigtown*Design said...

There's a little natural history shop in a town near here that just got busted because they had some owls and other birds under glass, and it's illegal to have wild birds in your personal possession. even if they've been dead for 100 years.

HOBAC said...

fairfax - hope he fights them, Fish & Wildlife often over react.

cotedetexas said...

I love the Paris apt. with the large map of Africa and that unusual horseshoe shaped table. I wish it was a better quality picture!

HOBAC said...

CdT - That table is in fact an elephant's ear. Fabulous, but we have a much better one at Portobello.

I know - just didn't want to break the book's spine on the scanner.

cotedetexas said...

Wait - an elephant's ear? seriously - I have never seen that. You now, I don't think there are many people in the US into the natural curiousities like over in Europe. I could be totally wrong of course, I just don't know of a dealer like you or those your talk about. I would love to see your inventory and have you explain it and the significance of the pieces.

HOBAC said...

Well, once that @$%^^&& wesite is finished you will be able to. Unless I am in an old people's home first.
Funny, but most of our things go to the States.