An impressive large Napoleon III gilt-bronze mounted ebony, tortoiseshell and inlaid engraved brass Boulle center table French, circa 1860

the serpentine shaped top with première partie brass inlay and scrolling acathus with a gadrooned, acanthus molded and guilloche border, above deep serpentine aprons centered by foliate cartouches, on cabriole legs headed by caryatid supports and joined by an X-shaped platform stretcher centered by an urn finial.

See Christopher Payne, 19th Century European Furniture, Antique Collectors' club, Woodbridge, UK, 1981, p. 374 for the present model of table in a black and white period photograph.

Overall good condition; the top with old restored age cracks with areas of infilling and inpainting and with minor areas of lifting to the veneers; the aprons with some minor lifting and losses to the veneers with some minor areas of restoration; the gilt-bronze with some dirt, rubbing and minor wear in places; overall with some old scratches and dents consistent with age and use. Please note this lot contains endangered species and a CITES permit will be necessary for export. Please contact the department with any questions.
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.

The marquetry design of this table top follows the tradition of a number of craftsmen ébénistes at the end of the 17th century making marquetry panels which incorporated tortoiseshell with a variety of metals such as brass. Notable amongst them was André-Charles Boulle who perfected the technique and whose name has become eponymous with this style. Boulle's celebrated contemporary Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt (c.1639-1715) who was granted lodgings at the Louvre and began work as ébéniste ordinaire du roi in 1684, was also a skilful exponent in the art of sumptuous marquetry panels. Interestingly, although both craftsmen were influenced by the designs of Jean Bérain, they executed their designs very differently, Oppenordt more frequently utilizing foliate arabesques delineated by strapwork.