Restoration Workshops
Mobilier national has been supporting arts and crafts and creativity ever since the 17th century. The institution is attached to the Ministry of Culture, and maintains, creates and makes available a collection that is unique in the world of over 130,000 items
Vue de l'extérieure de la manufacture des GobelinsMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
Seven restoration workshops are part of Mobilier national. Skilled craftspeople work to maintain items of high historical, scientific and cultural value.
Atelier de lustrerie-bronzeMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
Chandelier and bronze workshop
The workshop specialises in the three bronze techniques: mounting, chasing and twisting. In particular, it covers gilded bronze objects such as chandeliers, wall lights, clocks, candelabras, candlesticks and bronze furniture from the 17th century to the present day. When a part is damaged or missing, it sometimes needs to be recreated when there is an identical model available to copy.
restauration bronzeMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
The workshop also works on the restoration of locks and the manufacture of keys. A forge is used exclusively for producing tools, frames for fire dogs and artistic wrought ironwork. The workshop also works in palaces to remove chandeliers and wall lights and to put them back in place after they have been restored.
Vue de l'atelier de menuiserie en siègeMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
Seat upholstery workshop
This workshop is devoted to woodworking, as is the cabinet-making workshop. These two workshops were separated in 1976, allowing the creation of a carpentry workshop for seats, reviving a tradition of the Ancien Régime.
Corroyage d'une feuillure à l'atelier de menuiserie en siègeMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
The seat carpentry workshop works and restores wood in its entirety, carving and turning the carcasses or barrels of seats as well as furniture parts. It is responsible for painted, varnished and gilded solid wood furniture such as beds, torchères, fire screens, consoles andscreens, often richly decorated.
Atelier EbénisterieMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
Cabinet-making workshop Whereas chair carpenters work with
Whereas chair carpenters work with solid wood, cabinetmakers or joiners use thin sheets of wood with geometric or patterned (marquetry) decorations which are then veneered onto a base. This traditional distinction is reflected in the way the Mobilier National is organised.
Commode, Pierre-François GUIGNARDMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
The cabinetmaking workshop takes care of the maintenance and restoration of inlaid or veneered wooden furniture, such as desks, pedestal tables, cabinets, sideboards, cartonniers, tables, wardrobes, writing desks, desks, chests, bookcases etc.
Cabinetmakers and restorers are tasked with making the furniture fit for use: they reinforce the joints, re-glue the veneers or marquetry, reconstruct the missing parts to make the furniture fit for use and ensure a good finish. They work closely with bronze workers, locksmiths, engravers, marble masons, sculptors, etc.
Restauration de tapisserieMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
Tapestry Restoration Workshop
This workshop is set up over two sites (Paris and Aubusson) and has the largest number of workers to have been named “Best Workers of France”.
Restauration tapisserieMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
The tapestry restoration workshop takes care of the conservation of wall tapestries and seating and carpet tapestries belonging to the Mobilier National. Their work ranges from dust removal to in depth restoration.
Restauration de tapis en coursMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
Carpet Restoration Workshop
The carpet restoration workshop's main task is the conservation of the floor carpet collections, as well as wall hangings, seat covers, fireplace screens and knotted stitch screens. For the furnishing of presidential residences, ministries or other state bodies, property may also be displayed in exhibitions or be exhibited in museums.
Restauration de fauteuil à l'atelier de tapisserie ameublementMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
Upholstery Tapestry Workshop
Upholsterers recreate and restore seat upholstery, using traditional horsehair techniques, for the period from the 17th to the first half of the 20th century. After this date, there was a widespread use of foam, so synthetic products replaced traditional materials.
In this workshop, original textiles and upholstery are conserved, and removable and reversible conservation upholstery is created for seats that are displayed to the public in museums and castles.
Stock de laine pour restautation de tapisMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
The kind of work carried out by the carpet restoration workshop ranges from simple stabilisation/reinforcement on site, to the most in-depth restoration-conservation, to the reinstatement of missing but documented elements, in particular the fireplace fronts cut out of the Savonnerie's carpets. Dyeing of wools and silks is undertaken by the dyeing workshop, which is responsible for providing the colours needed for the restoration.
Atelier décorMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
Decoration Tapestry Workshop
The decoration tapestry workshop makes, reproduces, restores and installs double or lined curtains, banners, bed linings, canopies, wall hangings and woven carpets, as well as maintaining them.
It also marries tradition and modernity, working on modern furniture, including the creation of contemporary fittings in conjunction with the ARC (the research and design workshop).
Restauration de fauteuil en coursMobilier National, Manufacture des Gobelins, de Beauvais, de la Savonnerie
The upholstery workshop coordinates with the workshops on carpentry for seats (restoration of seats); cabinet making (panelling for furniture, games tables, leather desks, cartonniers etc.); carpet and tapestry restoration (sometimes on seats), bronze and chandeliers ( working on gilded bronze ornamentation affixed to furniture) and decorative tapestry (stitching and wall hanging work on site). The upholstery tapestry workshop also creates the upholstery for beds, screens and fire screens.
Mobilier national
