A Louis XV ormolu-mounted tulipwood, fruitwood and marquetry secrétaire de dame à abattant, attributed to RVLC circa 1760

Lacking original tambour door in interior, now replaced with one shelf. The marble top with very few small chips to edges. Scattered age and construction cracks. Marquetry with small scattered losses and some lifting. Minor old worm damage to back. Ormolu mounts wiith some rubbing, traces od oxidation and surface dirt. Locks replaced. Leather inlay with water marks, cracks and lifting. In 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.

This secrétaire de dame belongs to a small group of nearly identical pieces stamped by or attributed to Roger Vandercruse. These include one stamped RVLC and formerly in the Dutasta Collection and another attributed to the maker in the Musée du Louvre, see Clarisse Roinet, Roger Vandercruse dit La Croix, Paris, 2000, pp. 58-59 and Pierre Kjellberg, Mobilier français du XVIIIe siècle, Paris, 2002, p. 787. There are a number of similarities these pieces share with the secrétaire offered here, such as the matching form, the similar corner and identical feet mounts and escutcheons and the relatively small size. The Dutasta piece is also decorated with marquetry panels on its sides that feature a framework composed of elongated rinceaux enclosing bouquets that can be found on this secrétaire. The interiors of these three works share additional similarities: the geometric parquetry fretwork that enclose single flowers in the lower section and the set of identically-decorated elongated parquetry drawers in the upper section. Furthermore, the piece deriving from the Dutasta collection and that in the Louvre feature tambour doors, with which this secrétaire was also fitted originally and signs of which can be found in the oak carcass of the upper section.