A Belgian gilt-bronze-mounted flame mahogany bureau cabinet stamped HDB=LB A GAND, (Ghent) second quarter 19th century

the upper section with a pair of mirrored doors opening to reveal the reverse of the doors with later pleated silk enclosing a shelf above three frieze drawers and a roll-top opening to reveal a fitted interior with seven drawers, a pigeon hole with a mirrored back flanked by four columns concealing secret compartments above a pull-out baize-lined writing slide, a further frieze drawer with compartments and a pair of cupboard doors enclosing three drawers flanked by demi-columns

The mounts are slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. The veneer is also a little dry looking in places, especially to the upper doors and would benefit from a repolish. There are some miniscule sections of veneer missing especially on the three drawers on the upper section as visible from photograph. There is a very minor patch to the veneer on the top right corner of the left hand drawer. There are minor scratches generally and some minor verde gris to the collars of the mounts on the lower section. The three ring pulls on the internal drawers are missing, which can easily be replaced. There is a small break in the thyrsus mount on the frieze drawer on the lower section. There are some splits and cracks in the veneer of the lower drawers as visible from photograph. Attractively cast mounts. In overall good original 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. 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."

The initials HDB=LB are the mark of the cabinet-maker and furniture retailer Heddebaut-Labaere who was active in Ghent. Little is known about this Belgian cabinetmaker, however, he is mentioned in the 'Ebénisterie' section of "La Belgique Industrielle", the catalogue published by Louis Hauman for the exhibition of Belgian industry products in 1835. The piece is very much executed in the manner of Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864), the most important Belgian furniture maker during the Empire period. Chapuis is most well known for good quality mahogany pieces and he supplied a wide variety of pieces to the royal castle of Laeken from 1806 onwards (D. Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Français du XIXe Siècle 1795-1889, Paris, 1989, pp. 118-121). Furthermore, the mounts on this piece are of particularly fine quality.