Mobilier National

The Mobilier national is a French statutory corporation which administers the Gobelins Manufactory and Beauvais Manufactory. It is based in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, and falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture.[1]

Its history goes back to the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne, which was responsible for the administration of all furniture and objects in the royal residences. The Mobilier national continues to administer state furniture but has also expanded from its historical role of conserving, preserving, and restoring furniture to curating a modern collection.[2]

The director since February 2018, Hervé Lemoine [fr], defended plans for Septempber of 2020 to auction approximately 100 items off to aid French healthcare workers through the Foundation for Paris Hospitals and French Hospital, whose president is Brigitte Macron, during the pandemic, on the argument that they had little to no heritage value or associations to historic people. In support of artisans and creators during the pandemic, they additionally unveiled plans to commission new works and restoration projects. A special acquisitions committee was also suggested, that would buy plans and then make the ideas and projects of young creators.[3][4][5] An exhibition in 2022 presented 185 objects from the 1930s to the 1960s.[6]

Currently, the Mobilier national owns 130,000 items including tapestries, ceramics, chandeliers, and furniture.[7]

  1. ^ "National Furniture and Manufactures". Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  2. ^ Gassmann, Gay (20 April 2022). "The Mobilier National Keeps French Style Alive—and It's Fascinating to Peek Inside". Architectural Digest. New York. ISSN 0003-8520.
  3. ^ Willsher, Kim (30 April 2020). "France to sell some of nation's antique furniture to support hospitals". The Guardian. London. ISSN 0261-3077.
  4. ^ Nelson, Tim (1 May 2020). "France Is Selling Historic Antique Furniture to Raise Money for Hospitals". Architectural Digest. New York. ISSN 0003-8520.
  5. ^ Harris, Gareth (4 May 2020). "Director of France's national furniture collection defends plans to sell 100 items at auction to aid healthcare foundation". The Art Newspaper. ISSN 0960-6556.
  6. ^ Isaac-Goizé, Tina (27 October 2022). "In Paris, French Furniture Flair". The New York Times. New York. ISSN 0362-4331.
  7. ^ "Collections du Mobilier national". Paris: Mobilier national. Retrieved 1 February 2024.