Nils Petter Stenström (b. Malmø 1750, d. Stockholm)
A Gustavian chest of drawers of mahogany, inlaid with birch and maple wood, brass fittings, the top of grey Öland limestone. Stockholm, late 18th century. H. 83 cm. W. 92 cm. D. 47 cm.
The upper drawer with paper label inscribed in black ink:
'Cette commode Louis XVI m'a été donné par mon père – Stockholm 1869 Pauline Fournier'
(This Louis XVI chest of drawers was given to me by my father – Stockholm 1869 Pauline Fournier)
The label is signed Pauline Fournier, who is probably a descendant of the French agent Jean Antoine Fournier, born 1761 in Grenoble, died 24 October 1824 in Brétigny-sur-Orge.
After having been active as a French consular agent and businessman in Gothenburg, which Fournier left in 1804 due to bankruptcy, Fournier returned to Sweden in 1810, sent by the French Foreign Minister to investigate the circumstances. He also acted as Jean Baptiste Bernadotte's (later Charles XIV Johan, King of Sweden and Norway from 1818 to 1844), agent during the parliamentary elections in Örebro. The promises of certain financial benefits that he made to Lars von Engeström on his behalf contributed significantly to his election as king. It is believed that he was a kind of spokesperson for Napoleon. why Fournier later was granted a pension by Charles XIV Johan for his services.
Condition report available on request.