A fine pair of marble-topped gilt-bronze mounted mahogany consoles dessertes each stamped once C. Topino JME Louis XVI

each of demi-lune form with a moulded grey and white marble top, above a frieze drawer flanked by a curved drawer, each with gilt-bronze panelling and beading, above two shelves with a pierced gilt-bronze gallery, with a solid backboard, the stiles at the front and rear applied with gilt-bronze ribbon-tied trophies of Learning, on square tapering legs with gilt-bronze collars and guttae terminating in gilt-bronze sabot; one bearing the paper label at the rear 'D'Orleans à Beaugency', both bearing the label no 8635 domicile

Sold lot 134, in these Rooms, 16th December 1966
Partridge Fine Arts, London, 1975
Sold from the Estate of the late Marie Vergottis in these Rooms, lot 202, 14th June 2000 (£190,000)  

Sylvian Barbier Sainte Marie, Charles Topino, Paris, 2005, p. 46, illustrated

Colour overall less orange more natural and attractive than in the catalogue illustration. There are unexplained drill-holes in the wooden carcass beneath the top on one. The internal lockplates are off but present and can be reattached. Some of the gilt-bronze mounts appear later. The shelves have been reveneered. Differences in the construction of the carcasses. Attractive model and size 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."

Comparative Literature:
P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe siecle, Paris, 1998, pp. 38-57, illustrates p.57, fig.32, a virtually identical console desserte by Topino save that it does not have a marble top (sold Galleria, 4th April, 1974). It has the same distinctive ribbon-tied trophy mounts as on this console desserte.

Sylvian Barbier Sainte Marie, L'Estampille/l'Objet d'Art, October 1990, no.340 p.57, 'Charles Topino, maître ébéniste et entrepreneur fecond', illustrates a very similar console desserte with identical trophy mounts except that it is missing its gilt-bronze panelling on the central drawer, the stiles are fluted and it has circular tapering legs (sold Etude Couturier Nicolay, 26th April, 1989). The author states that seven examples of this type of console desserte by Charles Topino are known.

Two nearly identical consoles dessertes by Topino are illustrated by Jean Nicolay, L'Art et la Manière des Matres Ébénistes Français au XVIII Siècle, Paris, 1956, p.463, flgs.S and R. They are inset with marble tops fitted with gilt-bronze galleries, but are otherwise identical. All have the same corner mounts incorporating ribbon-tied foliage centering globes, and all are veneered with plain panels of mahogany outlined with gilt-bronze borders.

Identical corner mounts are also fitted on a secretaire à abattant signed Topino illustrated Pierre Kjellberg, op. cit., p.846. Also see a secrétaire stamped Topino with identical trophy mounts, sold Sotheby's, Monaco, 3rd July 1993, lot 178.

Charles Topino (1742-1803), received master in 1773:

Charles Topino was established at the rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine and among his clientèle were members of the aristocracy and the marchand-ébénistes including Delorme and Tuart. His pieces were described as being 'à l'antique', which was the expression for taste devoted to neo-classical ideas in the late 18th century. His daybook covering the years between 1771 and 1779 has survived and documents, for example, the names of the bronziers who supplied him, amongst them Jean-Baptiste Oubuisson, maître-fondeur in 1765, who delivered the finest mounts in this period. It is known that the gilt-bronze mounts with which Topino embellished his furniture were cast by Viret, chased by Chamboin and Oubuisson and gilded by Becard, Gerard and Vallet.