A Transitional gilt-bronze mounted, tulipwood and marquetry secrétaire à abattant by Guillaume Kemp, circa 1770

the marble top above a fall front enclosing a fitted interior with six short drawers and four pigeon holes, above two cupboard doors with one shelf, stamped G KEMP JME

In overall fair condition. The marquetry has signs of some old restoration to secure the timber and there are some minor losses and cracks. The fall front is quite loose and over extends making the leather writing surface slanted - this would benefit from professional attention to secure. There are two horizontal age cracks to the main marquetry panel which have been repaired but have signs of old glue residue. Otherwise, with minor old marks and scratches to the surface commensurate with age.
"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:

F. de Salverte, Les Ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle, Paris, 1953, pl. LXXXI.

Guillaume Kemp, maître in 1764.

Originally from Bonn, and based in the faubourg Saint-Antoine, Kemp emerged as a leading marqueteur in the late 1750s, working in the following two decades mostly in the Transitional and Louis XVI styles, and delivering marquetry panels to other great ébénistes, such as Guillaume Beneman, with whom he collaborated on a bureau for the King's study at Versailles.

A nearly identical secrétaire, reproduced in de Salverte, op. cit., pl. LXXXI, was sold Sotheby's Monaco, 15-15 June 1981, lot 68.