A Danish gilt-bronze mounted giltwood, walnut and burr-walnut bureau-cabinet, by Matthias Ortmann, Kopenhagen circa 1755

the pair of shaped panelled doors opening to a plain interior with three shelves and three drawers, above a hinged fall-front opening to reveal a fitted interior with variously sized drawers centred by a mirrored door, above shaped frieze drawer and three further long drawers, on rocaille carved feet 

By repute: Schloss Hirschholm, Denmark

T. Clemmensen, Mobel paa Clausholm, Langeso, Holstenshuus, Kobenhavn 1946, pp. 39-45 illustrates a comparable bureau-cabinet by Matthias Ortmann.

In overall good restored condition, overall with minor restorations to the veneer, back boards of upper section replaced, top back board of lower section possibly replaced, minor wear to the gilding, minor traces of old woodworm to top and lower back, very minor losses to the gilding and veneer of lower front section.
"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."

Mathias Ortmann (ca.1700-1757) was born in Sweden as the son of a cabinet-maker. At an early age he became an apprentice in his father's rapidly expanding workshop which was situated in Hyhavn, Copenhagen. Amongst other royal family members, his father counted Frederik IV's brother Prince Carl as a customer buying pieces for his palace Charlottenborg. Two years after the death of Matthias' father in 1723, and acquiring his trade license as furniture-maker, Matthias carried on the business.

From travelling as an apprentice in Europe, mainly in France under Louis XV, Ortmann learned the benefits of signing his furniture. The Ortmann label has since then become the collector's guarantee for a genuine Ortmann. However it is not all Ortmann pieces that actually bear his prized signature. Ortmann only signed his furniture from 1745 to 1757 and part of his production pre-dates this period. There are also a number of Ortmann pieces from that era that can almost certainly be attributed to Ortmann due to their identifiable style, like the bureau-cabinet presented.

Another characteristic hallmark is his corner ornaments of gilded lead. The most commonly used material for corner ornaments among other cabinet-makers at his time was gilded wood carvings or – when in the French style – gilded bronze mountings, but Ortmann was content with just carving his plinths and using gilded brass mountings for key plates and handles.

Ortmann's early chests of drawers had straight sides, but he later developed his bombé-shaped model with gilded, carved plinth and legs. The typical Ortmann look also includes gilded drawer edges and a gilded plaster frieze with delicate carvings beneath the gilded upper edge. This golden band is placed just beneath the marble top covering the label. A frieze of this sort is not seen on French chests of drawers. It is entirely of Northern European origin.