An Italian rosewood, walnut, fruitwood, mother-of-pearl and ivory marquetry bureau attributed to Luigi Prinotto, Piedmontese, circa 1730

decorated with foliage and strapwork, the top with ivory inlaid crowned monogram, the fall-front decoration divided in three panels, the central with von der Schulenburg's family coat-of-arms, the sides with military trophies, opening to reveal eight drawers, well and a baize writing surface, on cabriole front legs on stylised paw feet and replaced straight back legs

Probably Field-Marshal Count Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg (1661-1747)

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

Roberto Antonetto, Il Mobile Piemontese nel Settecento, Torino, 2010, vol. 1, 71-100.

In restored condition, repairs and small losses to veneers, back legs replaced, side edge ebonised mouldings and leg blocks probably later, left side foot broken and probably replaced. Replacements to ivory drawer handles and to pull outs handles. Small patch to veneers around key hole of fall front. Small loss to veneer of right side leg. Screws to fall hinges not original. Writing surface now covered in later velvet fabric. For all sales which take place on or after 1 February 2015, please note that the rate of buyer's premium for each lot (charged as a percentage of the hammer price achieved for that lot) has been revised and shall be calculated at the thresholds set out below: Buyer's premium is 25% of the hammer price up to and including £100,000; Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £100, 000 up to and including £1,800,000; Buyer's premium is 12% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £1,800,000. As stated above, the revised thresholds are effective as of 1 February 2015.
"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 distinctive and elaborate decoration on the present piece, with motifs inlaid in mother-of-pearl and ivory within frames of richly scrolling strapwork, can be related to a small group of bureaux attributed to Prinotto (Antonetto, vol. 1, 71-100). One of them. a bureau commissioned in 1723 by the then Prince of Piedmont, later Carlo Emanuele III, with scenes depicting the siege of Turin of 1706, was one of the first recorded deliveries to the Royal Piedmontese Court. One other, now in the Museo Civico d’Arte Antica in Turin, also shares a similar design and decorative structure. A medal-box also made for Carlo Emanuele in 1730 has a similar figure of Minerva as seen on the fall front of the present lot. The elegant front legs denote an evolution of Prinotto designs towards the Rococo and more in line with Pietro Pifetti's manner.

Luigi Prinotto was probably born in 1685,  became a master cabinet-maker in 1712 and had a very long career. He died in 1780. He received several commissions from the Royal House and worked for the Royal Palace in Turin whilst the architect Filippo Juvarra was leading its renovation. 

Field-Marshal Count Johann Mattias von der Schulenburg was a German noble of Brandenburg-Prussian descent who had a successful military career in the several wars fought in Europe at the turn of the century. He served in the Saxon and Hungarian armies, fought for the House of Savoy in the Spanish Succession War and then helped the Venetian Republic to fight the Ottoman Empire which brought him great fame after the successful defense of Corfu. After travelling around Europe, he settled in Venice where he became a great patron of the local painters. He knew and served with Vittorio Amadeo II of Savoy and it is plausible that the present bureau might have been a gift from a member of the Savoy family to the Field-Marshal or, alternatively, a personal commission whilst passing through Turin.