A pair of gilt-bronze-mounted brass inlaid tortoiseshell veneered première-partie boulle marquetry and ebony meubles d'appui, in the manner of André-Charles Boulle in Louis XIV style, late 19th century

with a rectangular top above an egg and dart border and pair of doors inlaid with scrolling foliage, flowers and trelliswork enclosing flowerheads applied with elaborate foliate cast and stippled gilt-bronze mounts and with a profile satyr mask opening to reveal a shelf above a shaped apron on tapering toupie feet, the sides with a stylised patera within a berried laurel wreath

In need of attention and full restoration but once restored they will look most attractive. Colour of gilding slightly darker and more natural and attractive than in the photograph. Good quality casting to the gilt-bronze. There are sections of ebony veneer and brass inlay and some tortoiseshell inlay missing which will need to be replaced. There is a horizontal construction crack in both tops which will need filling. The gilt-bronze banding is lifting in places and needs repining. There are some scattered age cracks. See p. 15, Jonathan Meyer's, Great Exhibitions, 1851-1900, Suffolk, 2006, for a very similar cabinet described as Nineteenth Century English Boulle pieces by Toms and Luscombe commissioned by the Earl of Craven.
"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:
Peter Hughes, The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Furniture, Vol. II, London,
1996, pp. 831-840.

This fine pair of premiere-partie boulle marquetry meuble d' appui in pewter
and tortoiseshell are based upon a model of an armoire by the celebrated
ébéniste, ciseleur, doreur et sculpture du Roi André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732).

This pair of meuble d'appui are very closely related to the lower section of the doors on an armoire by Boulle in contre-partie boulle marquetry no. 174 (F429), in the Wallace collection which incorporates a clock by Gaudron, illustrated by Hughes, op. cit., p. 835. The Wallace piece is listed as the second item in Boulle's act of renunciation of 6th October 1715, the first item being the premiere-partie armoire that accompanied it. It is interesting to note the lower value on the contre-partie armoire which reflects the lesser expense of brass as opposed to tortoiseshell veneer. Hughes also states op. cit., that other pieces resembling the Wallace piece, include the armoire from the Tuileries now in the Louvre, which has the same hinge mounts,'and...the same C-scrolls incorporating elongated satyrs heads near the bottom. '

see catalogue note at sothebys.com