Auguste-Émile Ringuet-Leprince and Michel-Joseph-Napoléon Liénard

executed in Paris
ebony, ebonised pear-wood and hardstones

Christie's, New York, 24 April 2002, lot 399
Acquired from the above by the present owner

The Great Exhibition, Crystal Palace London, 1851

Digby Wyatt's, The Industrial Arts of the nineteenth century at the Great Exhibition, Vol. 1, pl. CLV, illustrated
Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Français du XIX Siècle, Paris, 1989, pp. 555-557
Ex. Cat. Un age d'or des arts décoratifs 1814-1848, Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Paris, 10 October - 30 December 1991, pps. 233, 339, 422, 482, 500 for discussions on the cabinet maker
A Facsimile of the Illustrated Catalogue of London's 1851 Crystal Palace Exposition, New York, 1995, p. 297, illustrated
Jonathan Meyer, Great Exhibitions London - New York - Paris - Philadelphia 1851 - 1900, Woodbridge, 2006, p. 46, illustrated
Werner Adriaenssens et al, Roberto Polo: The Eye, London, 2011, pp. 146-151, illustrated
Christopher Payne, European Furniture of the 19th Century, Woodbridge, 2012, p. 44 for information on the maker

Overall in good conserved condition with typical signs of wear consistent with age and use. The cupola to the top section is later as are the twin dove swags to the apron of the lower section, however, the workmanship is of a very high quality and they conform to the original design. Some of the veneers and carved elements with minor restoration and the ebonised surface has been re-touched in areas. There is an age crack to the plinth base which is secure and overall there are some signs of movement along the lines of construction as to be expected. The colour of the stones are slightly less pronounced than in the catalogue image. This piece is ready to place.
"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."

Auguste-Emile Ringuet-Leprince (1801 – 1886) was a highly skilled Parisian cabinet maker best known for his refined interpretation of the historical styles of the 19^th century. He most excelled in his creation of renaissance revival pieces. Prior to his participation in the 1851 Crystal Palace he had gained international acclaim, which led to his explosion onto the exclusive New York scene. Where his brother-in-law Leon Marcotte (1824 – 1887) soon joined him and established the well renowned Ringuet Leprince and L. Marcotte firm. Furniture of his can be found in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and the Musée de Louvre, Paris.

Michel-Joseph-Napoléon Liénard (1810 – 1879) was one of the most influential French designers of the nineteenth century. Liénard carried out schemes of carving for palaces, cathedrals and public buildings throughout France, including the celebrated restoration of the Château de Blois where he worked with the architect Félix Duban (1798-1870) from 1845, with whom he would again work on the restoration of the Louvre in 1849. Later in his career, Liénard moved to working with the best-known craftsmen and ébénistes of the day - supplying them with designs for armour, jewellery and furniture. He participated in many of the international exhibitions. However his name was often overshadowed by that of the people responsible for making the pieces and only recently has his importance been established. Indeed in 1851 this cabinet was described as  'The cabinet by Ringuet-Leprince is of high merit' (Ex. Cat., Exhibition 1851 Reports by the Juries, London, 1852. pp. 1622). Examples of his work are in the permanent collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.