Mercier Freres fl. 1867 A Louis XVI style gilt-bronze and en grisaille decorated secrétaire à abattant Paris, third quarter 19th century, in the manner of René Dubois

surmounted by a brèche violette marble top above a drawer, the fall front opening to a composition of drawers and filing compartments, above three long drawers, metallic plaque inscribed Mobiler, Décoration, Ancien et Moderne, Mercier Frères, 100 Fb. St. Antoine/Paris

Overall in good and fair condition with the usual minor scratches, dents and nicks to carcass consistent with age and use. Tarnishing, dirt and wear to gilt bronze in places. The marble with the usual minor chips to edges, scratches to surface consistent with age and use. As visible in the catalogue illustration, there are horizontal seams of construction visible to base with pronounced discoloration consistent with cleaning. Discoloration to green paint overall. Please note that the metallic insert protecting the keyhole is missing to the fall front. Some gilt bronze mounts will need to be re-tightened to the carcass, such as the border of the fall front. The department encourages interested parties to use our online e-catalogue's zoom function to enjoy magnified and alternate views of this lot.
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.

The en grisaille technique is a method of painting executed entirely in monochrome, using various shades of olive, grey, or buff tints to represent objects in relief. It is rare to see this type of decoration interpreted by the 19th century admirers of important 18th century furniture. The designs were sometimes painted on friezes and medallions on 18th and 19th century furniture and paneling to give an illusion of depth and carving.  A bedside table seemingly en suite with the present lot is in a private collection. A related commode en demi-lune attributed to Dubois is in the collection of Alice Charlotte von Rothschild in the sitting room at Waddesdon Manor (see: Waddesdon Manor, The Heritage Of A Rothschiild House, Buckinghamshire, 2002, p. 189).
A secrétaire by Beurdeley, also in the manner of Dubois, was sold in these rooms in A Private Collection, Volume II, April 19, 2007, lot 46 for $60,000.