A tulipwood, kingwood, amaranth and marquetry bureau de dame in the manner of Latz Louis XV, mid 18th century

of serpentine bombé form, the fall-front opening to reveal a leather-lined writing surface, three serpentine drawers above two slides enclosing a recess, above a shaped frieze enclosing a drawer with a further drawer in the side, on cabriole legs terminating in gilt-bronze scrolled feet, the whole inlaid with 'C' and 'S' scroll and rocaille reserves enclosing floral sprays and ribbon-tied bouquets; veneered on the back to form a centrepiece

Born near Cologne, Jean-Pierre Latz arrived in Paris in 1719 and was naturalised and gained citizenship in 1736. Three years later he received the brevet d’ébéniste privilégié du Roi allowing him to stamp his furniture without receiving a maîtrise. He also supplied many marchands merciers and several monarchs including Frederick II of Prussia, the king of Poland, the Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and the Duchess Louise-Elisabeth of Parma, daughter of Louis XV. Mostly remembered for his floral marquetry, this bureau typifies the style of Latz at his most opulent.