Jean Royère

Dumont Family, France, 1958
Thence by descent

Ensembles Mobiliers, vol. 14, 1954, pl. 26 (for a related model)
Madeleine Rolland, "Esoterisme des lignes," Mobilier et Décoration, no. 6, July 1960, p. 40 (for the present lot illustrated in the Dumont interior)
Jean Royère décorateur à Paris, exh. cat., Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, 1999, p. 72 (for the present lot illustrated in the Dumont interior)
Pierre-Emmanuel Martin-Vivier, Jean Royère, Paris, 2002, pp. 209-210 and 217 (for variants of the model)
Galerie Jacques Lacoste and Galerie Patrick Seguin, Jean Royère, Paris, 2012, vol. I, 46, 49, 110 and 164-169, vol. II,  pp. 72-73 (for variants of the model)

Overall very good condition. The sideboard has been sensitively conserved by a professional conservator to ensure the original integrity of the materials has been maintained. The straw marquetry is masterfully executed, presenting with a beautifully varied palette of ebony, chestnut, amber, blonde, and mahogany hues, imparting the sideboard with great dynamism and visual interest. The case and legs are executed with a slightly darker overall palette, which provides a subtle contrast to the more variegated marquetry of the cabinet doors and drawers. The straw surface presents with a soft lustre which is not fully captured in the catalogue illustration. The charming straw motifs accent the strongly linear decoration of the marquetry with some executed with orange straw. The straw marquetry surface with some occasional minor areas where the straw has been sensitively replaced. The sideboard with three drawers, three cabinet compartments, and five adjustable shelves. The left cabinet door with a minute discoloration, likely a drip of varnish, at approximately one-third height and 9 inches from the right border, not visually detractive and only visible upon close inspection. The center door with a small restoration to the lower border, approximately 5 inches from the left edge, not visually detractive. The same door with two minute losses to the marquetry, each approximately ⅛ inch wide: the first occurs within a blonde piece of straw at the approximate midpoint of the width of the door and approximately 1.5 inches below the upper edge; the second occurs within the upper border approximately 3 inches to the right of the first loss. The second loss appears to have been touched up with varnish at some point in the history of the piece; neither are visually detractive. The right door with a minute loss on the left side of the left-most star decoration, not visually detractive. The reverse side of the sideboard is unfinished. This sideboard comes with its original key. A masterwork from the “Etoile” series, displaying exceptional marquetry and thoughtfully conceived coloration and execution.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This sideboard is documented in the Jean Royère Archives, Musée des Arts décoratifs, Paris, tracing plan no. 10.725, ekatachrome no. 141 and photograph no. 1729.