An ebony, gilt-bronze and porcelain mounted secrétaire à abattant by Blake of London circa 1850

with a shaped moulded white marble top above a fall-front enclosing four small drawers and pigeon holes and a leather writing surface, above a pair of cupboard doors, signed Blake on the reverse of one of the bronzes

In good restored condition. The marble top with minor surface marks and dirt, the porcelain rubbed in places. Quite a lot of rubbing to the ground colour. Some wear to the gilding.
"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."

This secretaire is concieved in the style of great 18th century master Martin Carlin (1730-1785). Carlin the son of Trouper Carlin a carpenter from Fribourg-en-Brisgau set up business in 1759 in the same year that he married Catherine Oeben, the sister of Jean-Francois Oeben. Although working in a variety of materials he was well known for incorporating porcelain plaques. Pradere, French Furniture Makers, London 1989 illustrates a sécretaire à abattant dating from 1778 of similar form p.343., and a commode from the Rothschild Collection, p.361 op. cit., which incorporates porcelain panels decorated with similar sprays of summer flowers.

Edward Holmes Baldock of Hanway St. (1777-1845) encouraged and benefitted from the enduring interest in French taste during the first half of the 19th century. He described himself as "buying, selling, exchanging and valuing china, cabinets, screens, bronzes etc." Many owners of country houses and the growing middle classes wanted to decorate with the best examples of French furniture and this encouraged a market in such goods, which found their way from Paris.

Blake of London was another dealer and supplier who specialised in this developing market, who sometimes worked in association with Baldock. His name first appears at 8 Stephen St., Totteham Court Road, London in 1820. Over the next fifty years the family is listed and generally described as Buhl manufacturers, the last reference being to a Charles Blake in 1879. Amongst their clients was the fourth Duke of Northumberland who ordered a  circular table for Alnwick Castle in 1853. The signature "Blake" on the reverse of the bronzes has been recorded on a pair of commodes after Boulle, sold London, 2nd November 1990, lot 231, on another pair in the Frick collection, which may have come from the Marquis of Hertford and on a single commode sold Sotheby's London L0t 130, 16th May 1997.