A ROYAL LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED KINGWOOD AND PARQUETRY TABLE à ÉCRIRE circa 1755

with inventory marks in black ink: M.No.164, No. 2011 and Du. No. 2011.

Delivered by Gilles Joubert, ébéniste du roi, on August 22, 1755 for Madame Adélaïde's apartment at the Château de Choisy
Subsequently sent to the Château de Marly by 1775 until sold there in a revolutionary sale on October 6, 1793

Alexandre Pradère, French Furniture Makers: The Art of the Ébéniste from Louis XIV to the Revolution, London, 1989, p. 216, no. 13

With minor age and construction cracks. Parquetry and veneer very slightly buckling in a few areas of top; not extensive. Minor restored losses to veneer and parquetry; mostly with infill. Some old worm damage to carcass; not extensive. Mounts in very good overall condition. Refinished. 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 table was delivered by Gilles Joubert to Madame Adélaïde at the Château de Choisy, a popular retreat of the royal family near Paris. The table was described as "2011: une table à écrire de bois violet et rose à compartiments en mosaique ornée de chutes de festons et pieds de bronze doré d'or moulu. Ayant sur le côté un tiroir fermant à clef garnye  d'encrier, poudrier et boite à éponge de cuivre blanchi . Longue de 28 pouces  [76 cm] sur 18 pouces [48 cm] de large et 26 pouces [70 cm] de hauteur." The table is known to have been transferred by the Garde Meuble to the Château de Marly by 1775 and it was subsequently sold in the sales of royal property following the revolution.

MADAME ADÉLAÏDE (1732-1800)

Born in Versailles in 1732, Madame Adélaïde was the sixth child and fourth daughter of Louis XV and Maria Leszczyńska. As daughter of the King, she was referred to as Fille de France and also as Madame Quatrième  until 1733, when her "title" changed to Madame Troisième following the death of her older sister. She was much loved by her father whom she often accompanied on his outings. Due to the lack of eligible royal suitors during her adolescence she never married. Along with her siblings, she was much opposed to Louis XV's relationships with Mesdames Pompadour and du Barry. Following the Parisian women's march on Versailles on October 6, 1789 she moved to the Château de Bellevue where she remained until fleeing France for Italy in 1791. After spending time in Rome, Naples and Corfu, she died in exile in Trieste in 1800.

GILLES JOUBERT (1689-1775)

Joubert was elected master sometime during the regency of Philippe d'Orléans. In 1748 he was employed by the Garde Meuble and ten years later became ébéniste ordinaire de Garde Meuble de la Couronne. He was subsequently made ébéniste du roi in 1763 on the death of Oeben. Between 1748 and 1777 he delivered nearly 4000 pieces of furniture, a demand which far exceeded the capacity of his workshop. However, because the furniture which Joubert supplied to the Crown can be very similar, sharing the same or similar form, mounts and marquetry, even when pieces are stamped by different ébénistes, it seems likely that Joubert retained considerable control over the design of work he subcontracted.