A walnut and stained fruitwood and marquetry marriage casket stamped HACHE A GRENOBLE Régence, 1717

the rectangular moulded top with canted corners and centred by an alliance coat of arms underneath a Count's coronet, the whole decorated with stylised foliage and floral marquetry

in overall good original condition. The stained fruitwood has faded a bit but this can restored easily.Minor marks, stains and scratches consistent with age and use. Beautiful detail to marquetry decoration
"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."

Comparative Literature:
Pierre Rouge/Françoise Rouge, Le génie des Hache, Dijon, 2005, p. 131, Nr.33;

The alliance coat of arms on this charming marriage casket are those of Louis de la Poype, chevalier comte de Saint-Juillin, chevalier d'honneur au Parlement de Dauphiné and of Claudine de Thésut, who married on 17th August 1717. The identical companion piece to this previously unrecorded casket was sold Piasa, Paris, 2nd December 1998 lot 104 for 18,294 Euros and is illustrated by Rouge et al., op.cit., p.131, Nr.33.

Thomas Hache (1664-1747):
Thomas was the paterfamilias of the Hache cabinet-making dynasty. He arrived in Grenoble around 1695 and in 1699, he married the daughter of Michel Chevallier, a Grenoblois cabinet-maker whose workshop had been established in the last decade of the 17th century. Thomas was not only a talented ébéniste, but also an astute administrator and businessman who instituted an efficient practice of division of labour which he had probably observed in Parisian workshops. The undoubted quality of his production, together with the efficient manner in which it was manufactured, resulted in a successful enterprise which Thomas was able to pass on to his sons Pierre and Jean-François.