A French gilt-bronze-and jasperware-mounted kingwood and parquetry bureau plat attributed to E. Zwiener, Paris, circa 1885

in the manner of Jean-Henri-Riesener, in Louis XVI style, with a gilt-bronze-banded leather inset top above a frieze drawer centered by a blue and white jasperware neo-classical ribbon-tied medallion flanked by ribbon-tied swags on square tapering  legs headed by female masks and toupie feet, the reverse of some of the mounts stamped ZN

In overall very good conserved condition. Colour of veneer less orange and gilt-bronze mounts less greenish more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. The marquetry also includes bois satiné. The mounts are a little dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. The quality of the casting of the mounts is good. The acanthus leaf cast headers just above the feet are in bronze. The jasperware plaques are in good condition. The bottom of the bow on the back of the desk is bent slightly inwards but this is hardly noticeable and can be easily straightened.The frieze drawer opens by way of a push-button mechanism.
"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:
Christopher Payne, European Furniture in the 19^th century, Woodbridge, reprint 2013. 

Joseph-Émamanuel Zwiener (b. 1849) was working in Paris between 1880 and 1895 and had his workshop at 12, rue de la Roquette and became one of the leading luxury cabinet-makers of the late 19^th century. The exceptional quality of Zwiener’s craftsmanship and extensive use of gilt-bronze mounts inevitably leads to comparisons with the work of that other celebrated 19^th century ébéniste François Linke who almost certainly worked for Zwiener as a young man in the 1870’s. Zwiener worked in several styles fashionable in Paris at that time and he mainly copied Louis XV pieces from  public collections and adapted them . He exhibited at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889 and was commended by the jury who wrote `dès ses débuts à une Esposition Universelle, il s’est mis au premier rang par la richesse, la hardinesse et le fini de ses meubles incrustés de bronze et fort habiliment marquetés’.  In 1895, he was summoned to Berlin by the German Emperor Wilhelm II (1859-1941) at Scloss Neues Palais, Sans Souci, Potsdam. Zwiener was also recorded as an exhibitor at the German Pavilion at the 1900 Exposition Universelle.

A virtually identical example with a brèche violette marble top was offered for sale Palm Beach High Season Exhibiton and sale by A.B. Levy's, lot 73, 20th January 2013.

A related center table from a Californian Private Collection, with a granite top and mounted with a jasperware plaque,  the gilt-bronze female mask mount with ZN on the reverse from the bronze master model, was offered for sale Sotheby's New York, 21st October 2009, lot 275.