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A FRENCH RÉGENCE BRASS INLAID EBONISED AND VARNISHED BRONZE BUREAU PLAT, ATTRIBUTED TO FRANÇOIS LIEUTAUD, CIRCA 1720 |
Estimate
100,000 - 150,000 EUR
bidding is closed
Description
- Haut. 80 cm, larg. 195 cm, prof. 95 cm, height 31 1/2 in, width 76 3/4 in, depth 37 1/3 in
opening with three drawers, the lateral mascarons added in the 19th century
Provenance
Purchased by the present owner in the 1960s
Literature
Related litterature: H. Ottomeyer, Die Möbel der Residenz München, vol. 3, Munich, 1995
A. Pradère, Les ébénistes français de Louis XIV à la Révolution, Paris, 1989
A. Pradère, Les ébénistes français de Louis XIV à la Révolution, Paris, 1989
Condition
The photograph is quite accurate, despite a little shiny. As expected,scattered scratches, marks and stains all throughout the surfaces. Some brass inlays lifting or missing. The bronze mounts have never been gilt, only varnished: they are now quite tarnished. As said, the masks on the middle of each side were added later in the 19h century. The leather with a nice and warm patina; there is a shrinkage crack (30 cm long) on the top which has made the leather split. This bureau has been kept in the same Parisian collection since the 1960s. It would benefit from a slight restoration. Very chic and elegant model, large size. To recommend.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Our bureau plat is almost identical to those stamped FL by François Lieutaud at the Ansbach Residenz and those without any stamp actually kept in the King's bedroom at the Bamberg Residenz (see H. Ottomeyer ibid. p. 49-52). The gilt-bronze mounts are similar, especially the handles that we also found on several pieces stamped Lieutaud : - A pair of commodes kept at the Residenz in Munich
- A commode, sold Sotheby's New York, 20 October 2018, lot 1155
The only different thing is the ornament on both sides of the frieze. Our ornament was replaced in 19th century and might be correspond to the mask found in the two German desks. A desk close to these pieces is kept at the Bayerisches Museum in Munich and it could be a German production, after a Parisian model. We also know other desks very similar to ours, but with different gilt-bronze mounts:
- A desk stamped NG for Noël Gérard at the Toledeo Museum of Art
- A desk illustrated in the Duchess of Maine music room at the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal in Paris (reproduced in Belles demeures de Paris, 1977, p.53)
François Lieutaud
François Lieutaud, grandfather of the famous clockmaker Balthazar Lieutaud, was born in Marseille circa 17665 into a family of sculptors. He was received master circa 1710, had a son, Charles Lieutaud, who settled in Saint-Jean-de-Latran (Paris) where he was joined by his father. François met André-Charles Boulle, he cites as a personal expert during a trial circa 1719. Like André-Charles Boulle, he made himself its gilt-bronze ornaments, known for the quality of gilding and chasing.
- A commode, sold Sotheby's New York, 20 October 2018, lot 1155
The only different thing is the ornament on both sides of the frieze. Our ornament was replaced in 19th century and might be correspond to the mask found in the two German desks. A desk close to these pieces is kept at the Bayerisches Museum in Munich and it could be a German production, after a Parisian model. We also know other desks very similar to ours, but with different gilt-bronze mounts:
- A desk stamped NG for Noël Gérard at the Toledeo Museum of Art
- A desk illustrated in the Duchess of Maine music room at the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal in Paris (reproduced in Belles demeures de Paris, 1977, p.53)
François Lieutaud
François Lieutaud, grandfather of the famous clockmaker Balthazar Lieutaud, was born in Marseille circa 17665 into a family of sculptors. He was received master circa 1710, had a son, Charles Lieutaud, who settled in Saint-Jean-de-Latran (Paris) where he was joined by his father. François met André-Charles Boulle, he cites as a personal expert during a trial circa 1719. Like André-Charles Boulle, he made himself its gilt-bronze ornaments, known for the quality of gilding and chasing.