A French gilt-bronze mounted brass inlaid tortoiseshell première-partie boulle marquetry and ebony cabinet, by Béfort Jeune, Paris, after the model by André-Charles Boulle late 19th century

the rectangular top inlaid with three lozenges above an egg-and-dart frieze above two panelled doors with the figures of Aspasia and Socrates on a scrolling foliate tortoiseshell ground flanked by ribbon-tied medallions centred by a projecting stile headed by a female mask mount and inlaid with vertical c-scrolls and husks, the sides with a pierced scroll and foliate mount, on a plinth base with a patera at each corner, on gilt-bronze headed ebonised toupie feet, the reverse of a gilt-bronze mount stamped BJ and numbered 613

Count Adam Wilhelm Joseph Knuth, Knuthenborg Estate, Denmark
Thence by descent to his son

In overall good conserved condition but in need of some minor restoration to the cracks.Colour of gilding more golden and less greenish and more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph.Old minor marks, chips and scratches commensurate with age and normal usage. Nice detail to casting of the mounts which show evidence of some tarnishing.There is a vertical crack down each door with a resulting lifting of some brass boulle which can easily be re-glued with other scattered losses to the brass.There is also a triangular section of tortoiseshell missing below the foot of the male figure and there are minor restorations to the tortoiseshell on the same panel which are showing a slightly different colour from the rest and would benefit from some attention.There are some scattered age cracks generally to the ebony veneer and some restored cracks down the right side when facing which have been well executed. There are also some minor restorations to the ebony veneer especially to the front frieze where there is a strip of ebony veneer which is slightly lighter in colour than the rest and obviously a restoration. The internal shelves are now lacking. The side mounts have been lacquered.There is a miniscule section of gilt-bronze mount at the top of the right side border which is missing which can be left as it is hardly noticeable.The reverse of the mount is stamped BJ and the number 613.
"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:
Alexandre Pradère, French Furniture Makers, The Art of the Ebéniste from Louis XIV to the Revolution, Tours, 1989, p. 81. 

This impressive cabinet is based upon a recorded model of a low armoire circa 1725, by André-Charles Boulle, one of a pair with figures of Aspasia and the Philosopher in première-partie, illustrated by Pradère, op. cit. p. 81. Various 18th century examples of these cabinets  are recorded with minor variations, for example, in the ribbon-tied medals. Although the earliest of these cabinets were certainly intended for medals, probably for use by Louis XIV as diplomatic gifts, by the 1730's they were as likely to have been used as cabinets for books or other articles. The figures of Socrates and Aspasia (the mistress of Pericles), derive either from Michel Corneille's painting of 1673 on the ceiling of the Salon des Nobles at Versailles or perhaps from a drawing by Corneille of the same subject in Boulle's possession.

The cabinets were much admired and copied in the 19th century by such celebrated ébénistes such as Jean-François Alix, Mathieu Befort, Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener and Wassmus Fréres. Various 19th century examples have been sold at auction including one by Mathieu Befort, Christie's, London 29th September 2006, lot 53 (£84,000).