Joseph-Émmanuel Zwiener fl. circa 1875-1900 A fine gilt bronze, engraved pewter and brass, and faux tortoiseshell Boulle style marquetry mounted ebony veneered meuble à hauteur d'appui France, circa 1880

surmounted by a brèche de Campan rubané marble top, the central cupboard door beneath a bronze medal to the effigy of Maximilien de Béthune, duc de Sully, and opening to one shelf, the sides each fitted with four small drawers, the gilt bronze banding of the central door has been removed to reveal the mark ZN from the bronze master model

Overall in good condition with the usual minor scratches, dents and nicks to veneers and carcass consistent with age and use. Tarnishing to gilt-bronze in places. The marble with the usual minor chips to edges, scratches to surface consistent with age and use.
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.

Although the origin of the present model is arguably from André-Charles Boulle's workshop, made circa 1700, it is interesting to compare the Boulle revival period that occurred during the second half of the 19th century with the earliest Boulle revival period, that occured in the 1760's, as seen in the works of cabinetmakers such as Etienne Levasseur, Philippe-Claude Montigny and Adam Weisweiler, who incorporated panels of late 17th/early 18th century Boulle marquetry into new pieces of furniture.

The pair of cabinets that belongued to the 4th Marquess of Hertford and now at the Wallace Collection, were lent to the Musée rétrospectif de Paris in 1865 and it was certainly from such mid 19th century celebrated exhibitions that leading French cabinetmakers drew their interest in copying and transforming this model. 18th century models can be seen at the Louvre in Paris,  the Wallace Collection and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and The Metropolitain Museum and the Frick Collection in New York.