A kingwood, tulipwood, green stained sycamore, ebony, amaranth and chinoiserie marquetry bureau à cylindre stamped P. Roussel JME Louis XV, mid 18th century

with a pieced three-quarter galleried top above a pull-out tooled leather writing slide enclosing a shelf inlaid with three playing cards above three drawers one fitted for inkpot and sander above three frieze drawers on cabriole legs mounted with satyr masks and acanthus joined by a concave-fronted shelf on scrolled feet, the whole inlaid with rococo bureaux, vases of flowers, teapots, cups and saucers, the back plain veneered

In overall good conserved condition. Very attractive detail to marquetry. The gilt-bronze gallery is slightly warped and has a very minor loss of a diaper and a crack towards the rear right side. The left side is more faded than the rest and would benefit from a repolish. There is a large triangular shaped patch to the edge of the left side which is slightly raised and chipped and the veneer is lifting along the rear right edge which would also benefit from some attention. Old marks, chips and scratches generally commensurate with age and usage. The internal shelf is slightly bowed. The mounts are a bit dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. There are cracks across the shelf which would benefit from some attention which have been filled in the past and are opening up again. The banding around the shelf is possibly later. In need of some cosmetic attention but once restored this would look most attractive. Charming small size.
"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:
François Quéré, Les Roussel Une Dynastie d'ébénistes au XVIIIe siècle, Dijon, 2012, pp. 172 and 179 and 180.

The charming marquetry decoration depicting a commode and bureau plat with a cartonnier can be seen on other pieces by Roussel, see Quéré op. cit. p 172, for a secrétaire inlaid with a bureau plat and bibliothèques stamped by the same maker. Roussel was known for different types of marquetry decoration and sometimes he depicted in his marquetry, furniture in the rococo or chinoiserie style and decorated his marquetry with bureaux, small bibliothèques and chairs. This decoration can also be found on the work of some of his contemporaries, such as Jacques Bircklé, Georges Jansen, Jean Caumont and Pierre-Harry Mewesen. As in the case of marquetry depicting landscapes, it was a question of these elements being purchased in ateliers specialising in this type of marquetry. It is rare, however, to find this type of decoration by Roussel on a cylinder bureau.
 
Pierre Roussel, received Master in 1745:
He was the son of an ébéniste and settled in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, in the rue de Charenton. Between 1775 and 1780, he worked for the Prince de Condé and supplied him with 10,000 livres worth of furniture. The inventory after Roussel's death reveals that a large amount of furniture was in tulipwood, marquetry, bois satiné or amaranth and many pieces were in lacquer. He also employed the services of the bronziers Turchin, Ravrio and the gilder Trufot.