(1880 - 1989)
Maison Jansen was possibly one of the most successful brands in the history of furniture and design. Renowned as a prestigious furniture maker, the company was also sought out as an interior designer by monarchs, world leaders and Hollywood stars alike. For over 90 years, the name Maison Jansen was famed for the quality and craftsmanship of their work, and synonymous with the glamour of the A-list clients that they became associated with.
Maison Jansen was founded in 1880 by Dutchman Jean-Henri Jansen. He had originally embarked on a career in architecture, but his entrepreneurial spirit led him to create his own firm specialising in furniture and interior design. His ability as a craftsman soon impressed and in 1883, he won Silver Medal at the Amsterdam Exhibition. Two years later he relocated his workshop to Paris and soon began to attract a wealthy and high-profile list of clients.
Over the next decade, Maison Jansen established itself as a trusted supplier to the royal families of Europe, with clients ranging from Alfonso XII of Spain to William III of the Netherlands. In the early 20th century, Jansen expanded the operation globally, and by the time of his death in 1928 Maison Jansen had offices in North and South America, Europe, and Africa.
Had Maison Jansen been a one-man show it would not have survived the death of its founder. But central to Maison Jansen's success was a number of talented individuals who became associated with the brand over the course of its history. Most notable amongst them were Stéphane Boudin (1923) and Pierre Delbée (early 1930s). Boudin had joined the company as an investor in 1923 and took over the reins on Jansen’s passing. A devotee of classic
Louis XV and
Louis XVI styles and one of the world’s most acclaimed designers, under his leadership Maison Jansen continued to attract high-profile patrons, amongst them Coco Chanel, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and the Kennedys.
Boudin retired in 1961 and was succeeded by Pierre Delbée, who had been with the company since the 1930s. Delbée ushered in an era of more theatrical designs and was commissioned by the Shah of Iran to provide the interior decorations for the 2,500th Persian anniversary.
Quality and craftsmanship were inherent to the work of Maison Jansen, but it was their ability to take traditional references like 18th-century French design and blend them with contemporary styles like
Art Nouveau and
Postmodernism that made them so popular with the rich and powerful influencers of their day.
The company finally ceased trading in 1989, but by that time it had established itself as one of the most prestigious design brands of the 20th century. From its humble beginnings in Holland, Maison Jansen evolved into a global brand with designs that moved effortlessly between French flair, European heritage, and Hollywood glamour. In doing so, the company established a style that was all its own and produced furniture that is as sought after today as it was in its heyday.