A gilt-bronze-mounted mahogany vitrine table cabinet Napoleon III, circa 1860,

the rectangular hinged glazed top concealing a later velvet-lined interior above a frieze with scrolling foliage on square tapering legs joined by a shaped shelf on fluted tapering legs and toupie feet, stamped Edwards and Roberts  and CH^les Winckelsen, 21 rue S. Louis Marais,

In overall very good condition. Attractive detail and good quality casting of the mounts. There is a very minor split on the top right and left side in the mahogany veneer of the top but this is hardly noticeable with some very minor retouching to the veneer to the top. There are some very minor restoration to the tops of the legs above the gilt-bronze collars but these have been well executed and are hardly noticeable. The gilt-bronze border on the top needs securing at it is a little loose.
"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."

Edwards & Roberts was founded in 1845 and had premises at 21 Wardour Street London. By 1892 they occupied more than a dozen buildings on Wardour Street, where they continued to trade until the end of the century. They were undoubtedly one of the leading London retailers and cabinet-makers working in a variety of styles.

Charles-Guillaume  Winckelsen (1812-1871). His workshops were at 23, Val-Sainte-Catherine in 1854. By 1860, he had moved to 21, rue Saint-Louis in the Marais and in 1867, he relocated his premises to 49, rue de Turenne. He produced furniture and decorative arts in particular in the Louis XVI style to a very high standard of craftsmanship. He had a distinguished clientèle, including Lafitte, Behague, the Marquis de Lillers and Prince Radziwill. Jean-Louis Benjamin Gros was his main cabinet-maker and Joseph-Nicholas Langlois his bronze-chaser. Following Winckelsen's death in 1871, Henri Dasson purchased on 27th July the workshop and stock from Winckelsen's widow for 14,000 French francs.