A gilt-bronze-mounted bois satiné and kingwood bureau plat stamped Migeon JME twice, the gilt-bronze mounts with the crown c poinçon Louis XV, mid 18th century

of serpentine form, the gilt-bronze banded top inset with a tooled leather writing surface with foliate and scallopshell clasps at each corner above three drawers opposing dummy drawers on cabriole legs terminating in gilt-bronze scrolled feet, the mounts cast with rocaille, flowers, c- scrolls and leaves, with an unidentifiable fleur-de-lys marque au fer on the underside

Christies, London, 4th December 1980, lot 145.
Sotheby's Monaco, 13th February, lot 442.

In overall good conserved condition. Attractive detail to the casting of the mounts which have been cleaned with some very minor surface dirt and minor rubbing to the mounts in places. There are some very fine casting cracks to the mounts which is normal. The veneer on the reverse is slightly faded and would benefit from a repolish according to taste. There have been old minor restorations to the veneer but this has been well executed. Evidence of old very minor worm on the underside which appears to be no longer active and is only visible from underneath.
"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:
Sophie Mouquin, Pierre IV Migeon, Paris, 2001, pp. 28, 72-74. 

This imposing bureau plat with its finely cast and chased gilt-bronze mounts, sinuous form, three drawers with the slightly recessed central drawer flanked by gilt-bronze mounts is by one of the leading ébénistes of the mid 18th century Pierre IV Migeon, formerly known as Pierre II Migeon. 

A related bureau plat of similar form stamped Migeon, is now in Palazzo Pitti, Florence, which has the ducal mark of Parma and was bought in Paris by Louise-Elisabeth de Bourbon in 1749. It is worthwhile noting a bureau plat in bois de violette inlaid in a trelliswork design stamped by both Migeon and Dubois with much more ornate gilt-bronze mounts in the Musée du Louvre, Paris illustrated by Mouquin  op. cit., p. 39, fig. 12. An identical mount to that on the knees of the bureau is illustrated by the same author, op. cit., p. 28 and 84, which is on a commode stamped Migeon in the Musée Louis Vouland, Avignon.  

A bureau plat stamped Migeon veneered in tulipwood and kingwood, the bronzes with the crown c poinçon sold Tajan, 18th December 2008 (130, 000e). Another bureau plat attributed to Migeon was sold at auction 14th March 2006 (120,000e). A smaller bureau plat attributed to the same maker was sold from the collection of the duc de Talleyrand, 26th November 2005, Christie' s Paris, lot 298. Another large bureau plat of similar proportions stamped Migeon, with trellis parquetry was sold Sotheby's, L'oeil d'un collection near Important Mobilier, Objets D'Art et Tableaux du XVIIIe siècle, 5th November 2014 (67,500e).

The crowned c poinçon was a tax mark on all metals utilising the alloy copper from 1745-1749.

Pierre IV Migeon (1696-1758):
He was born on 13th August 1696 into the celebrated dynasty of ébénistes and was one of the most important artisans in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine in the 18th century. He was working for the Garde-Meubles de la Couronne and the Princes du Sang, the French aristocracy but not exclusively for the duc de Boufflers and de Brancas and Louis-Adelaïde d' Orleans and the ducs de Noailles and de Rohan. He also supplied ambassadors and foreign Princes as well as  high profile political and financial figures in France.