A NAPOLEON III GILT-BRONZE-MOUNTED MAHOGANY THREE-LEAF SCREEN LATE 19TH CENTURY, IN THE MANNER OF JACOB-DESMALTER |

Probably acquired by Augustus, 9th Lord Monson (1868-1940);
thence by descent until sold Sotheby's London, 29 April 2014, lot 36.

Anthony Denney, Burton Hall, privately published, 1950, photographed in the Landscape Room.

In overall good conserved condition. Restored vertical construction cracks down central panel together with a hairline crack. Mounts have lost their gilding. Good quality to the casting of the mounts. Colour of central panel slightly lighter than the rest. Some restoration to the mahogany in the centre and other minor restorations showing slightly lighter in colour than the rest. Mahagany securing batons which hold fabric panels in place lacking in soe 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."

This unusual screen in choice mahogany veneers with well cast gilt-bronze mounts is very much in the Empire manner and emulates with its choice of mounts the work of one of the most important bronziers of the Empire period -Jacob-Desmalter. Some of the furniture from the Second Empire period bore mounts which were exceedingly well cast and this screen obviously takes its inspiration from Empire prototypes. It is worthwhile considering a pair of console tables stamped Jacob D.R. Meslee, with identically cast griffins on the frieze delivered by Jacob-Desmalter et Cie, one for the salon of Prince Joseph and the other for the salon of Prince Louis at the Palace of Fontainebleau illustrated in Fontainebleau, Meubles entrés sous le Premier Empire, Musée National du Château, Catalogue des Collections de Mobilier 3. p. 27, (F3817). Also see Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Inventaire Général du Versailles et des Trianons, Tome I, Le Grand Trianon, Meubles  et objets d'art, 1975, Paris, pp. 21 and 107, where on p. 20, a console table by Thomire and Duterme with mounts on the frieze depicting winged lions flanking a fountain on the frieze conceived in a similar vein to those on this screen is illustrated. Also see op. cit., p. l07, for a cabinet made for Napoleon with neo-classical female trumpeters of similar conception to those upon this cabinet.