This lot is offered by Christie Manson & Woods Ltd
Christie Manson & Woods Ltd
8 King Street, St. James's, London, SW1Y 6QT, United Kingdom
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Lot Essay
This desk is inspired by the bureau de roi, begun by Jean-François Oeben and completed by Jean-Henri Riesener for Louis XV in 1769 (now at Versailles) featuring similar marquetry panels, as well as a bureau à cylindre, also by Riesener, formerly thought to have been made for King Stanislas of Poland, but now identified as being supplied to the comte d'Orsay (now in the Wallace Collection). The present lot is however most similar in form to a secrétaire à cylindre, again by Riesener, made for the apartments of the Comtesse de Provence in 1773, (illustrated, M. Coutinho, 18th Century French Furniture, Lisbon, 1999, p. 215). Another apparantly identical example sold Christie's, London, 22 September 2011, lot 39 (£11,250).
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IN THE MANNER OF JEAN-HENRI RIESENER, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURYA FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED KINGWOOD, MAHOGANY, AMARANTH, SYCAMORE MARQUETRY BUREAU À CYLINDREEstimate: GBP 4,000 - 6,000
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Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
This bureau is in overall good and decorative condition. The ormolu rubbed, with traces of old polish residue. The marquetry with great attention to detail and variation in composition. There is only the very minor areas of faint shrinkage, as to be expected. The lower structure of the bureau with some separation to the joins resulting in a horizontal shrinkage crack to the veneers across the sides and reverse, which is not immediately noticeable, and with traces of old, well-executed repair. The interior of the desk with some minor wear to the edges and corners of the pigeon holes with very small associated areas of infill. The leather writing surface with sunfading to the lower half which was not concealed beneath the superstructure. There are localised areas of surface scratches around the writing surface and the escutcheons, as to be expected. The vertical mounts to the legs with some lifting and small areas of loss, such as to one side of the back left leg. The front left leg with a section of veneer lacking approximately 1 x 1 in. There are five keys. Structurally secure and ready to place.
Cost calculator
Lot 16Sale 19799
IN THE MANNER OF JEAN-HENRI RIESENER, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURYA FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED KINGWOOD, MAHOGANY, AMARANTH, SYCAMORE MARQUETRY BUREAU À CYLINDREEstimate: GBP 4,000 - 6,000
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