A gilt-bronze-mounted tulipwood and stained fruitwood marquetry table, after a model by Oeben in Louis XV style, 19th century

the top decorated with an architectural capriccio, military trophies and floral garlands, opening to reveal a silk lined well, the four sides depicting musical and military trophies, the lock signed F.O. Schmidt, Wien

In overall very good restored condition. Some minor stains and marks consistent with age and use. The marquetry is generally in very good condition. It appears to be laid on amaranth as the principal background wood. The height of the top from the bottom of the frieze is 24.5cm. There is no drawer.
"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 magnificent table is based on the celebrated table à la Bourgogne by Jean-Francois Oeben in Madame de Pompadour's bedroom in Versailles.
The latter was originally in the collection of the Counts of Harrach in Vienna and was later sold at Sotheby's, Monaco, The Collection of Monsieur Akram Ojjeh, 25th/26th June 1979, lot 191 where it was bought by the Duchess of Windsor. In 1986 the Duchess donated it to Versailles.

Jean-Francois Oeben (1721-1763)
Born in Germany close to the Dutch border, Oeben was in the professional and cultural circle of typical Dutch-born cabinet-makers including Criaerd, Vanrisemburgh, Vandercruse and Dautriche. In 1749, an ouvrier libre, he married Francoise-Marguerite Vandercruse, the sister of RVLC and sister in law of Carlin. From 1751-1754 he rented a space in the workshop of Charles-Joseph Boulle (d.1754) in the galerie du Louvre. At the death of the latter, Oeben received the title of ébéniste du Roi, probably through the good graces of madame de Pompadour and moved to a workshop at the Gobelins. As an employee at the Manufactures Royales, Oeben would automatically become a maître ébéniste in 1761.
Oeben excelled in the German speciality of making mechanical furniture. He even had his own forge for making the locks and mechanisms necessary for his pieces and in 1760 his title was expanded to ébéniste mécanicien du Roi. Above all, Oeben produced a large number of mechanical tables. His greatest ingenuity was that his tables often served several purposes (dressing/writing/reading and combined several sophisticated technological features.