A German neoclassical ormolu-mounted mahogany night table made for Prince Karl's Palace in Munich circa 1830

the spring release cupboard door enclosing two shelves.

Karl Theodor Maximilian August, Prince of Bavaria (1795-1875)
his daughter Countess Maximiliane von Bayrstorff (1823-1885),
thence by descent
Sold Sotheby's, Schloss Monrepos, Germany, October 9 to 14, 2000, lot 195

The marble top in good condition. Very minor restorations to the veneer. Minor hairline cracks inside. The top drawer opens the cupboard door at the turn of the knob. In overall very good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This cabinet is an extraordinary example of the cabinet-making tradition in Munich during the first quarter of the 19th century. It was originally part of a suite of bedroom furniture including a bed and cheval mirror made for Prince Karl of Bavaria's Palace in Munich, formerly known as the Palais Salabert. 
In the archives of Prince Karl, an inventory dated November 4th 1875, N° 21/3-5, mentions the furniture of his private apartments including a bed, a cheval mirror and a night-table surmounted by a marble top. This bedside table demonstrates the influence of the French Empire on German design and architects such as Leo von Klenze who designed the furniture for the palaces of the Bavarian court in the second quarter ot the 19th century.
Whilst the cabinetry is German, the ormolu mounts are most likely French. The archives of the Palais Salaber contain bills for the decoration of the Palace featuring travel expenses to Strasbourg, Berlin and Paris from 1828 to 1830. One such bill mentions an important delivery to Munich by the shipper Ottmann of Strasbourg of ormolu, and furniture mounted with ormolu under the instructions of the Palace decorator Métivier.

Karl Theodor Maximilian (1795-1875) was the second son Maximilian I Joseph, King of Bavaria and Princess Augusta Wilhemina of Hesse-Darmstadt. Prince Karl received a strong military education and by 1813 he was fighting at the side of field-marshal von Wrede. Toward the end of his life he was elevated to commander of the Bavarian army in 1866. He married Sophie Petin (1796-1838) who was later made Countess Bayrstorff. In 1825 his brother, now King Ludwig bequeathed him the palace, hence known as the Palais Salabert, built from 1804-1806 by Karl von Fischer. Prince Karl also inherited a substantial fortune from his aunt, the dowager Duchess of Bavaria, which allowed him to renovate and design the palace. In 1828 he chose the decorator, Jean-Baptiste Métivier (1781-1853) one of the most coveted promoters of French taste to decorate the palaces designed by Leo von Klenze.  The cost of these decorations between 1828 and 1831 came to 199,279 florins excluding the silver, porcelain and paintings.