A gilt-bronze mounted fruitwood and ebony inlaid bois de citronnier, mahogany, amaranth and marquetry and parquetry bureau à cylindre, attributed to P. Bernard, in Louis XVI style Napoleon III, circa 1860

after a model by Riesener, with a three-quarter galleried rectangular top above a roll-top, opening to reveal a leather-lined writing slide with four short drawers and five pigeon holes, the frieze centred by a push button drawer mounted with a gilt-bronze panel with cherubs in the manner of Clodion, the sides similarly mounted with panels representing Sculpture, the back veneered to form a centrepiece

Christopher Payne, European Furniture of the 19th century, Antique Collectors Club, 2013, p. 111.

The piece is dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. There is a horizontal hairline crack across the left and right hand insides which would benefit from attention. The mounts are very dirty but once cleaned up would be most attractive. The mechanism for the roll-top is no longer working. The leather is worn on the inset top. There are also some cracks on the inside side panels of the roll top but these are not too noticeable. The wood is a little dry looking and would benefit from a repolish according to taste. There has been some shrinkage to the short drawers in the freeze but this is not particularly noticeable. There is also a horizontal crack across the bottom panel of the right side. There is a section of moulding below the panels on the rear which is now missing. In need of some attention but once restored this piece would look stunning.
"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."

The present bureau à cylindre is after a famous model by Jean-Henri Riesener which was made for Marie-Antoinette's new apartments at the Château des Tuileries in 1784 and now forms part of the collection in the Louvre, Paris.

P. Bernard is listed at No. 4, Passage des Postes from 1856 to 1876. An almost identical bureau stamped by Bernard and sold Christie's, New York, 19th Century Furniture, 13 December 1983, lot 412. Christopher Payne illustrates an example of the model in his survey of European 19th furniture (op. cit., p. 111).