A French polychrome painted, ebonised and parcel-gilt cabinet signed Chifflot and dated 1846-1847

the rectangular top decorated with floral sprays within strapwork above a frieze drawer centred by two commedia del arte figures above a pair of doors one with a monkey and musicians amongst flowers within a roundel, the other with birds on branches flanking an eagle in a tree suspending sheet music opening to reveal three burr maple fronted drawers, one side with pagodas and a fruit tree in a landscape, the other with exotic birds and butterflies and a snake within strapwork, on a platform base and bracket feet

The detail of the painting is of superb quality and the piece is in overall good conserved condition. The piece generally has craquelur,e some scratches and some chips as visible from photograph. The drawer needs easing as it is a little stiff. There are some hairline cracks generally commensurate with age, although there is a vertical crack in the right side which can easily be filled or left. The front of the doors is a little faded due to sun damage and there is a vertical crack down the centre of the right door which can easily be filled.
"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."

Very little is known about the artist  Chifflot. He must have been inspired by the work of Jacques Callot (1592-1635) and Jean Grandville (1803-1847), whose prints were used as inspiration for the decoratoin of an armoire en suitewith the present three pieces which was sold Sotheby's London, 12th December 2001, lot 195 (£29.250).

Both Callot and Grandville were born in Nancy and are two of it's more prolific artists. Therefore the present suite could have been executed by Chifflot, also active in Nancy, as a tribute to the two artists from his home town.

Jean Grandville, renowned French caricaturist and illustrator, went to Paris in 1825. There he had his considerable first success with his album Today's Metamorphoses, in which animals appeared dressed as humans, already revealing his penchant for fantasy. In the same year he worked for the satirical journal La Silhouette where he openly attacked Charles X in his numerous caricatures and is said to have taken an active part in the Revolution of 1830. He also became one of the main illustrators of La Caricature where he worked closely with Honoré Daumier whose oeuvre remained fairly realistic. He also executed various illustrations for books by Balzac, Defoe, Swift and La Fontaine. It is interesting to note that many of the birds and animals represented in his whole oeuvre are very similar to those painted on the present piece.

Jacques Callot, painter and engraver lived, worked and died in Nancy where he caused an aesthetic and technical revolution. He had a real passion for the spectacle of life which he studied closely at the court, in town and many other public places and which he represented with great sincerity adding his fantastical input.
The mixture of naturalism with realism and chinoiserie decoration with stylised geometric and scroll motifs proves the great ability of Chifflot to create a truly unique suite with a stunning eye for detail. The right hand door on the cabinet à vantaux is a perfect illustration of this charming inventiveness: various species of birds are perched on two trees singing the notes which are depicted on a scrolled parchement suspended by an eagle in it's claws. The notes on the musical scroll represent birdsong.

A bedside cabinet signed by the same maker, and 1853,  was sold in these Rooms, 24th May 2002, lot 178.