Jean-Honore Davrainville, Paris

• full size weight driven pipe organ with 32 open flute pipes, played by 32 keys, driving spirally pinned barrels, playing operatic music, with hidden button release • including a set of six original and interchangeable spirally pinned barrels in three separate original fitted cases, the barrels changed through opening the desk panel • the Empire desk composed of rosewood and rosewood grained with fruitwood marquetry work to the drawers and legs, with working drawers to the top, and removable trays, panel at lower front concealing the organ, with ormolu pulls, bun feet • crank winding

The present lot contains endangered species which is subject to United States Fish & Wildlife Services restrictions upon international export. The time frame for shipment outside the United States is approximately 6-8 months. Overall in good condition. Sympathetic restoration to the desk overall. Drawer to the top restored. Visible restoration to the edges of the legs. Light scratches overall consistent with use. Small scuff to the molding above the drawer. Chips to the bottom of the front left leg. Tear to the fabric cover to the back about 6 inches long from the top. Organ in excellent restored condition. Overall a piece in very good to excellent condition cosmetically and functionally.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. 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. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.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."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

The majority of Davrainville's known work was built into cabinets rather than usable furniture. Further adding to the importance of the presently offered lot, this piece was purposefully built as a desk; it is therefore likely to be the most significant as well as the most important of Davrainville's work to be offered publicly in more than 30 years.

The music consists of operatic overtures including Daniel Auber's "Fra Diavolo" (1830) and Rossini's "La Gazza Ladra Overture" (1817) and "William Tell" (1829).

Organs of this period required power to provide both the wind for the organ pipes as well as for the rotation of the barrels. An organ of large size, such as the present lot, required a system of cables and pulleys and a heavy weight, which once wound descends at a steady speed and thus allows the music to play at a constant pace.

Jean Honoré Davrainville, father and son of the same name, were amongst the most important and successful mechanical organ makers in France between 1775 and 1850, yet very little is known about them beyond the fact that they worked for the aristocracy. Davrainville, the son, greatly expanded his father's business. He is believed to have built approximately 900 organs; all of his work is signed and numberered. Today, less than 23 pieces are known. Of this group, approximately 13 are in museum collections and the rest are privately owned.

Davrainville's organ pieces can be found in the Musée des Arts et Métiers, Paris, the Musée des Art Décoratifs, Paris, the National Museum van Speelklok tot Pierement, Utrecht, and the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection, Morristown, New Jersey.

The desk itself is attributed to the well-respected French Ebeniste Louis-Edouard Lemarchand (1795-1872), cabinet maker to Charles X and Louis Philippe.