A LOUIS XV STYLE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED KINGWOOD BUREAU DE DAME CIRCA 1880

UK: Greenford Park WarehouseRestricted Species

Auction Closed

November 12, 05:03 PM GMT

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property of a Prince

A LOUIS XV STYLE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED KINGWOOD BUREAU DE DAME CIRCA 1880

the superstructure with integral clock surmounted by cherub, flanked on both sides with two short drawers, the writing surface with later leather inset above three frieze drawers and two writing slides with green leather insets to either side

133cm. high, 130cm. wide, 68cm. deep; 4ft. 4½in., 4ft. 3¼in., 2ft. 2¾in.

This lot contains endangered species. Sotheby's recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. Please note that Sotheby's will not assist buyers with the shipment of this lot to the US. A buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

Sotheby's London, 24 May 1996, lot 164

The design of this bureau de dame is closely related to the work of one of the leading Parisian ébéniste in the 19th century, François Linke (1855 - 1946), and his celebrated designer Léon Messagé (1842-1901). The figure of the ‘enfant guerrier’ most probably based on one of Messagé’s design from his Cahier des Dessins & Croquis, Style Louis XV. Almost identical figures are found on an inkstand signed Messagé, a watercolour of a longcase clock by Messagé and at the centre of a table’s stretcher (see C. Payne, François Linke, 1855-1946, The Belle Epoque of French Furniture, Woodbridge, 2003, p. 72, pl. 67, p.184, pl. 200 and p.241, pl.257).

A further example by Théodore Millet, whose furniture firm is known to have collaborated with Messagé, features an identical cherub (illustrated in C. Payne, Paris Furniture: The Luxury Market of the 19th Century, 2018, p.470. Desks of similar shape, stamped by François Linke, were sold Sotheby's Paris, 4-5 November 2015, lot 567 and Sotheby's New York, 22 October 2008, lot 180.