A pair of gilt-bronze-mounted ebony topped and brass inlaid tortoiseshell veneered pedestals, Louis XIV, circa 1700 and later

mounts now lacking; the reverse painted; restorations

Kugel Gallery, Paris,

In overall good conserved condition. The colour of the tortoiseshell is slightly lighter than in the catalogue photograph on pages 30 & 31 and more natural and attractive. There is some minor staining to the tops which are in rosewood not ebony and discolouraton to the brass which can easily be cleaned. There is a very minor section of brass banding lifting on the left side on the base of one and on the same one the tortoiseshell on the base is held in place with tape and will need some attention. The gilt-bronze mounts have lost their gilding in places. On the other pedestal there is tape below the brass banding on the base of the left side which will need some minor attention and on the opposite side there is a small section of brass banding lifting.
"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."

This pair of pedestals reflect certain characteristics of the Parisian production from the end of the reign of Louis XIV and the Régence period and would probably originally have had a gilt-bronze female mask on the front with lambrequins beneath and the base would have had a row of acanthus as on other recorded related examples.

Other related examples with gilt-bronze mounts include:

-a pair in the Hôtel de Toulouse, siège de la Banque de France, Paris, illustrated in Le Patrimoine de la Banque de France, Flohic, 2001, p.104, also illustrated in the catalogue of the exhibition at the Musée des Arts Deoratifs, Paris, `Louis XIV, Faste et décors, Mai-Octobre 1960, p. 30, nos 146-127, plate XXXVII.

-a pair from the collection of Mrs Anténor Patiño, offered for sale lot 63, Sotheby's, New York, 31st October 1992.

-a pair sold Ader Tajan, Paris, 22nd November 1987, lot 192, of different outline.

-a pair sold Sotheby's, Monaco, 27th-28th June 1998, lot 263.

-a pair sold Ader Tajan Monaco, 14th March 1993, lot 160.