Secrétaire en noyer à incrustations d'os, travail vénitien, vers 1740

de forme contournée, à décor de rinceaux feuillagés, putti et oiseaux ; la façade ouvrant dans sa partie supérieure à deux vantaux à miroir, découvrant un vantail, quatre petits tiroirs, un compartiment à volet simulant quatre tiroirs, et sept casiers gainés de velours rouge ; la partie inférieure comportant trois grands tiroirs ; (petites restaurations au placage)

Silvano Colombo, L'Arte del legno e del mobile in Italia, Torino, 1981, plate 413, illustré.

Carlo Steiner, Mobili e Ambienti Italiani dal gotico al floreale, Vol II, Milan, 1963, n 330, illustré.

Overall colour is warmer, more golden and less red than in the photograph. Overall sound condition and even the sides are with very few cracks, quite unusual for this type of furniture. As visble from the photograph, there are a missing section of moulding on the upper right corner and two sections of missing veneer above the bureau (under the upper part). The frieze between the upper part and the bureau has been restored and we think that the veneer can be improved. Some minor splits commensurate to age. The finials, as the feet, look original ; one block on the top right behind has been replaced. Inside of the buerau is in good order. The drawers inside have been very nicely covered with purple silk. This is an important bureau that has been published in two important publications and we would recommend a light restoration in the hands of an Italian restorer we could recommend. Impressive and charming at the same time, and very reasonnably estimated.
"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."