Pierre Macret (1727 – 1806, although some sources give 1796 as the year of death) was a French cabinetmaker (ébéniste) active in Paris during the mid‑to‑late eighteenth century.
Macret entered the Parisian furniture trade in the 1750s. In December 1756, following the death of the widow of the prominent ébéniste Jean‑Pierre Latz, he obtained Latz’s royal warrant, the brevet d’artisan suivant la Cour, which granted him the title marchand‑ébéniste privilégié du Roi suivant la Cour (“royally privileged merchant‑cabinetmaker following the court”). This privilege exempted him from the strict regulations of the Paris guild of ébénistes.
In 1758 Macret was formally admitted as a maître‑ébéniste by the guild, solidifying his professional standing. He established a workshop and a shop on Rue Saint‑Honoré, near the church of Saint‑Roch, where he sold a range of high‑quality furnishings, including lacquered pieces, marquetry, gilt bronzes, and even jewelry.
Macret’s clientele included members of the French royal household. He supplied furniture to the Menus‑Plaisirs (the royal department responsible for theatrical and ceremonial décor) and was a regular provider for the dauphine Marie‑Antoinette. His work is noted for its refined lacquer finishes, the use of exotic woods such as tulipwood and purplewood, and intricate gilt‑bronze mounts. Notable surviving examples include an upright secretary (c. 1765‑70) in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Macret continued to operate his workshop into the revolutionary period. Precise details of his later life and the exact date of his death remain uncertain; French archival references list both 1796 and 1806 as possible years of death.
References
- Wikipedia entry on Pierre Macret (provides biographical dates and career overview).
- Metropolitan Museum of Art collection database (catalogues a cabinet signed by Macret).
- French art historical sources (Alchetron, BiographyCentral) describing his royal warrant and guild admission.
Accurate information is not confirmed regarding the exact year of Macret’s death, with conflicting records indicating either 1796 or 1806.