A fine Danish rococo walnut and parcel-gilt bureau bookcase, attributed to Mathias Ortman circa 1750

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

Minor losses to the carving. The gilding is a later oil-gilding. Minor restorations to the carving. Traces of old worm to the carving and veneer in small areas, as visible from catalogue illustration. Minor marks, chips scratches and dents consistent with age and use. Restoration to the front right leg. Minor hairline age and construction cracks. Handles replaced. In otherwise good 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Furniture of this design incorporating walnut and scrolling pierced giltwood elements is generally associated with Altona.  The small giltwood scrolls applied to the edges of both upper and lower parts are very characteristic of the work of Altona cabinet-makers; also characteristic of their production is a pierced giltwood stand such as on the offered piece.  Related examples are illustrated,  Annette-Isabell Kratz, Altonaer Möbel des Rokoko und Klassizismus, Hamburg, 1988, see for example a bureau bookcase illustrated p. 172, no. 24 which has a similarly shaped pediment, and an identically shaped center section with slant front.

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 bother Prince Carl as a customer buying pieces for his palace Charlottenborg. Two years after the death of Matthias' father in 1723, an acquiring his 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 in his corner ornaments of gilded lead. The most commonly used material for corner ornaments among other cabinet-makers at this time was gilded wood carving 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 bombe-shaped model with gilded, carved plinthand legs. The typical Ortmann look also includes gilded drawer edges and a gilded plaster frieze with delicate carvings beneath the gilded upper edge.