A gilt-bronze-mounted brass inlaid ebony veneered bureau plat attributed to François Lieutaud Régence, circa 1715

the serpentine leather-lined top within a gilt-bronze border with foliate cast corner  clasps above three frieze drawers inlaid with brass geometric and diaper motifs, the lockplates cast with a shield with opposing eagles' heads, the recessed central drawer flanked by boldly cast mounts centred by a scrolled boss cast with trelliswork enclosing flowerheads, scrolls and husks, opposing three similar cast and inlaid drawers, on cabriole legs with espagnolette and flower cast mounts terminating in scrolled feet, the sides each with a pierced mount with the seated female figure representing Geometry terminating in scrolled feet; some brass inlay missing; the mounts regilt and relaquered

Very strong model and superb quality of execution of mounts and veneering. Good large size. In country house condition and in need of cosmetic attention but once restored it will look most impressive. Some of the brass inlay around the top is missing and generally but this can easily be restored. On the top there has been shrinkage of the panels which has resulted in some construction cracks which will need filling and the veneer is splitting around the crack which can easily be restored.There are some water marks to the ebony veneer on the top. The gilt-bronze mounts are good quality and a little dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. The ebony veneer is dry looking and would benefit from a repolish according to taste. There is a very miniscule section missing from the stylised foliate gilt-bronze backplate of two handles which is hardly noticeable. There are hairline construction cracks at the joints as visible from the photograph but these can be left and are quite normal for its age. The bureau plat is veneered with lightly-coloured ebony which is a sign of quality rather than the more common pear wood. There is a section shaved of the side of one drawer approx 1-2cm deep in places.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
P. Hughes, The Wallace Collection catalogue of furniture, Vol II, London, 1996, no. 206, p. 1046.
G. de Bellaigue, The James de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, Furniture Clocks and Gilt Bronzes, Vol I, Fribourg, 1974, no. 86, p.417.

This sinuous and richly ornamented bureau plat is part of a group of related examples of similar outline with a recessed central drawer veneered in exotic dark woods such as ebony or amaranth, with variations in the mounts, traditionally attributed to Charles Cressent or Noël Gérard. One of the group includes the ebony bureau in the Residenz in Ansbach, which has the stamp of FL for François Lieutaud upon it, reproduced here in fig. 1. This has led to a reattribution of some of these bureau plat to Lieutaud, including the one formerly in the Residenz, Munich.
Related bureau plat include:
-one in the Wallace Collection, see Hughes, op. cit., no. 206, p. 1046 , for one firmly attributed to Lieutaud.
-one illustrated by de Bellaigue op. cit., no. 86, p. 417, in the Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, stamped FL which may well be reattributed to the same maker.
-one with identical side mounts to those upon the offered bureau, on a Régence bureau plat attributed to Lieutaud, sold Christie's, Paris, 16th December 2008, lot 115.
-a bureau plat attributed to Lieutaud with identical side and corner mounts, sold Christie's, London, 7th July 2005, lot 474 (£131,200).

It is also worthwhile considering a bureau plat with identical frieze mounts flanking the central drawer formerly in the Buffon collection, offered for sale Sotheby's, Paris,18th October 2007, lot 63.

Finally, a bureau plat stamped by the same maker was sold Sotheby's, Monaco, 8th December 1990, lot 603 (2,000,000FF). 

François Lieutaud received master around 1710:
François Lieutaud, grandfather of the renowned clock-maker Balthazar Lieutaud, was born in Marseille and he became a Master towards the end of the seventeenth century. It is well known that he had connections with André-Charles Boulle as he cites him as an expert witness in legal proceedings in about 1719. It is interesting to note that it is recorded that François Lieutaud cast his own bronzes and that they were of very fine quality.