Lot 392
  • 392

A Louis XV ormolu-mounted Chinese gilt and black lacquer bureau en pente, attributed to Jacques Dubois Circa 1750

Estimate
60,000 - 90,000 USD
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Description

  • Jacques Dubois (1693-1763), maître in 1742
  • oak, fruitwood, tulipwood, bronze, leather
  • height 34 in.; width 22 1/2 in.; depth 16 in.
  • 86 cm; 57 cm; 40.5 cm

Condition

With scattered age and construction cracks. Scattered old worm damage to underside; not extensive. Lacquer with age and construction cracks, some scattered small losses, rubbing, some lifting and scattered restorations and inpainting. Ormolu lacking some screws, now with some rubbing, oxidation and surface dirt. Lacking small ormolu band on front left leg; approximately 5 inches in length. Interior with some losses and flaking to red decoration. Leather inlay with some scratches and scuffs, possibly later. 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.

Catalogue Note

Although unstamped, this secrétaire en pente is attributed to Jacques Dubois on the basis of a virtually identical example stamped (thrice) by Dubois, from the Gontaut-Biron collection, illustrated, T. Wolvesperges, Le Meuble Français en Laque au XVIIIe Siècle, Paris, 1999, p. 287, pl. 155.  The inventory taken after Dubois' death in 1763 reveals a large workshop with no fewer than 12 workbenches and approximately 125 pieces of furniture in production including secrétaires en pente.  

This is a model which Dubois seems to have specialized in, particularly examples with oriental lacquer veneers.  Of the more than twenty secrétaires en pente known to be by Dubois, of which the majority are in Chinese lacquer, we only know of three others of this small size: these include the example cited above, T. Wolvesperges, op. cit., pl. 155, one from the Walters, Dutasta and Gaby Salomon collections (sold, Sotheby's, London, April 17, 1964, lot 113), and the desk from the Stuart collection at Highcliffe, now at Waddesdon Manor,  reproduced, Geoffrey de Bellaigue, The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddeson Manor, Fribourg, 1974, Vol. I, pp. 282-285.  There is also a larger version (secrétaire en dos d'âne) such as the one reproduced by Wolvesperges, op. cit. pp. 288-289 which is also fitted with a scarlet and gilt lacquer interior.

The attribution to Dubois can also be corroborated by comparison of the ormolu mounts on this secrétaire with mounts on the examples cited above.  There are elements which are identical and it is known that Dubois kept a large supply of  unchased bronze mounts for use on his furniture which he then supplied to the chaser and the gilder; in this fashion he was able to guard the exclusivity of his mounts so that they could not be copied by his contemporaries.