A tulipwood, sycamore and marquetry table à écrire Louis XV/XVI Transitional, circa 1770

in the manner of RVLC, with a three-quarter galleried oval top inlaid with trelliswork enclosing flowerheads, the front with a writing slide, the side drawer with receptacles for writing implements and inkpot and sander, on cabriole legs joined by a kidney-shaped stretcher on gilt-bronze scrolled feet

The compartment and brass fittings in the drawer are later. There is very minor shrinkage where the top joins the gallery. There is a small section of veneer chipped off near the left side of the drawer. An attractive piece in overall very good restored 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. 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."

Comparable Literature:
Svend Eriksen, Early neo-classicism in France, London, 1974, plate 137.
P.Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIème siècle, 1998, p. 752-753, p. 292, figs a & b.
J.Nicolay, L'art et la manière des maîtres ébénistes français au XVIIIème siècle, 1976, p. 258, fig d, illustrates a similar table with identical corner mounts and marquetry but oval stretcher.
Francis Watson, The Wrightsman Collection, New York, 1966, pp. 276-277, no. 138.
This table bears a striking similarity  to a group of elegant tables of oval form, with oval or kidney-shaped stretchers with distinctive flowerhead trellis or cornflower and trellis parquetry with identical gilt-bronze mounts cast with swags and acanthus by RVLC. The main difference being in the legs which on the Lacroix tables are generally inward curving at the point where the legs join the stretcher and rather than being plain veneered, as on the present example, they have more sophisticated marquetry decoration.

Eriksen, op. cit., p. 137, illustrates a ladies' desk with identical marquetry and lower section and kidney-shaped stretcher which has been reversed, to that upon this table, stamped RVLC, circa 1770-1775 ( Woburn Abbey).