Secrétaire à abattant en placage de bois de rose, satiné, amarante, marqueterie et monture de bronze doré de la fin de l’époque Louis XV, estampillé JOSEPH, vers 1770

la façade mouvementée aux côtés concaves, ornée de marqueterie florale, ouvrant par un abattant découvrant six tiroirs et deux casiers, et par deux vantaux découvrant deux tiroirs, un casier et un coffre ; dessus de marbre brèche d'Alep

- Probablement collection du comte de Chesterfield, Derbyshire
- Vente Christie's à Londres, le 24 mai 1949, lot 73, puis par descendance jusqu'à ce jour

The illustration of the catalog is accurate. Good overall condition despite the inevitable scratches and marks due to age and use. As visible on the illustration, there is a small chip to the veneer of the fall front door, just above the bunch of flowers. The veneer and the marquetry has been slightly restored as expected. A small piece of veneer has been replaced at the top of the left hand side upright at the rear. On this same upright, there is a minute shrinkage crack to the veneer, just above the back leg. The gilding is slightly tarnished but the colour is very nice. The chasing is exquisite as expected on a piece by Joseph Baumhauer. The inner is in very good condition with nice colours. The leather top is 19th century. Museal piece.
"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."

Joseph Baumhauer, dit Joseph, ébéniste reçu maître vers 1767

Considéré comme l’un des plus grands ébénistes sous Louis XV au même niveau que BVRB, Joseph Baumhauer est reconnu pour l’excellence de sa marqueterie et de la ciselure de ses bronzes. Notre secrétaire, tout en sobriété dans ses lignes, en est un exemple parfait.

Parmi les quelques secrétaires comparables estampillés par Joseph passés en vente, citons:

- ancienne collection Barclay Field, Christie's Londres, le 12 juin 1893

- vente Drouot, Paris, le 25 juin 1969

- vente Drouot, Paris, le 7 mai 1982

- ancienne collection de Sir Houston Shaw-Stewart, Christie's Londres, le 4 juillet 1996, lot 380.

ce dernier est illustré dans A. Pradère, Les Ebénistes français de Louis XIV à la Révolution, Paris, 1989, p. 234.