Cabinetmaker
BEURDELEY Alfred-Emmanuel
1847-1919
Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley was first assistant to his father Louis-Auguste Beurdeley, he succeeded him in 1875, and became one of the main cabinetmakers of the Second Empire, specializing in 18th century furniture. Louis-Auguste was the star every time he exhibited and was “the most appreciated by the royal and imperial families”. Although he produced the same kind of artwork as his father, Alfred Beurdeley was also a well-known art collector and skilled bronze sculptor. With Dasson, Grohé, Sauvresy and Fourdinois, the most famous artists of the time, he participated in the Universal Exhibition of 1878 and won the gold medal.
Crowned with glory, he went so far as to open a store in New York. His participation in the Amsterdam World’s Fair of 1883 drew considerable attention to his work and “Alfred Beurdeley, maker of art bronzes” received the National Order of the Legion of Honor, the highest official honor of France. He thus won the respect of the government and contemporary art critics.
Its last presentation was at the 1889 World and International Exposition, when the exhibition director wrote in his report:“Mr. Beurdeley’s talent is evident when one inspects his furniture.
