A French ormolu-mounted brass, pewter, tortoiseshell, horn and ebonized pedestal in the manner of André-Charles Boulle, early 19th century

the ebonized rectangular top with coved frieze with brass-inlaid brown tortoiseshell border, the front with a curved lambrequin inlaid with pewter and stained blue horn within a tasselled border, flanked by foliate volutes, the tapered body inlaid in brass on grounds of brown tortoiseshell forming foliate rinceaux on a plinth base.

There is an old restored age crack running horizontally end to end of the top, however this is barely noticeable. There is some rubbing to the mounts. The gilding is worn in areas with some traces of verdigris. With general surface abrasions and minor marks consistent with age. There is a hairline construction crack to the lower section of the lambrequin. Some minor restorations and filling to the tortoiseshell inlay in areas. There are some minor marks and small dents to the brass mounts along the base. In otherwise 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 celebrated model was invented by André-Charles Boulle and in production in his workshop in the latter part of the 17th century/early 18th century.  The design for the pedestal was engraved and published by Mariette after 1707, appearing on the title page of his Nouveaux Desseins de Meubles et Ouvrages de Bronzes et de Marqueterie Inventés et Gravés par André-Charles Boulle.  This model was highly prized by collectors for the display of sculpture and never really went out of fashion.  This is corroborated by records showing that the model was in more or less continuous production throughout the 18th century, particularly in last quarter of the 18th century when numerous examples by Levasseur and other makers have been recorded.

It would appear that all the Boulle marquetry pedestals which have been recorded have veneers of identical design on the lower part of the front and on each side; the only variant in the design is the treatment of the curved panel where one notes examples made in the first half of the 18th century displaying a rather controlled symmetrical design.  The examples thought to have been made in the last 25 years of the century exhibit a more free flowing design with no straight lines.  It is of interest to note that a drawing of a pedestal which was executed c. 1770 shows the early form of decoration.  This might suggest that the design which appears after 1770 may very well have been created by Etienne Levasseur who is know to have produced many of these pedestals.  The other feature which seems to distinguish the examples made prior to 1770 and those which follow, is the treatment of the frieze and cornice.