

Bronzes highlighting the curves of the furniture, and more particularly the angle swags with elongated coin motifs as seen in lot 65, are similar to those on the chiffonier table from the former Wrightsman collection (ill. in F. J. B. Watson) as well as that of the table in the Victoria and Albert Museum of London (inv. 1019: 1 to 6-1882). The bronzes of lot 66, decorated with acanthus leaves and flowers are similar to those on the table sold by Piasa and those of the chiffonier table stamped B.V.R.B. formerly in the collection of L. and E. Sheafer, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (inv. 1974.356.187). The latter also presents a certain similarity with our table, in the use of the amaranth reserve which outlines the apron.
Our stamped table (lot 65) bears a French inscription in ink “3 silvered pieces”. Here one recognises the custom of the dealer Simon-Philippe Poirier, of which B.V.R.B. was one of the appointed cabinet makers, in order to communicate instructions to the manufacturers of the silver-plated ink wells in the drawer compartments. A similar lettering can be found on the fall-front secretaire desk by B. V. R. B. of the Earl of Coventry, delivered in 1763 and now housed at the Legion of Honour Museum in San Francisco.