黃檀木鑲銅鎏金書桌， 攝政時期，約1725年作，由貝納·凡·列森伯一世製造，印有BVRB工匠蓋印

the shaped rectangular top inset with tooled leather and with an ormolu moulded edge ornamented with foliage to the corners, with three drawers to the front, the sides adorned with palmette and maskhead mounts, raised on cabriole legs surmounted with figural mounts in the form of a maskhead with a feathered headress and terminating in foliate sabots, stamped  BVRB ( fig.1) under the rail, some later elements to the top

艾倫·P·谷特（Alan P. Good），金林頓莊園（Glympton Park），胡士托，牛津郡（見圖2），售於倫敦蘇富比，1953年7月2日及3日，拍品編號315。

艾倫·P·谷特（1906-1953年）曾為拉宮達（Lagonda）汽車公司的總裁。他在1944年向巴內特家族（Barnett）買下金林頓莊園。1846年，喬治·亨利·巴內特自其伯父雅各·維特準男爵五世（Sir Jacob Wheate, 5^th Baronet）處繼承了此莊園；而維特家族自1633年起擁有莊園。巴內特家族在1944年10月6日倫敦佳士得拍賣會上，將莊園大宅內的物品拍賣散售。自1992年起，沙特阿拉伯國王之侄、班達爾·本·蘇爾坦親王成為金林頓莊園的主人。

艾倫·谷特是一位大名鼎鼎的法國家具收藏家，他的瑰藏涵蓋多位著名工匠的作品，例如里尚內、懷斯維勒、埃托瓦、杜布瓦等；在他的舊藏當中，其中一件珍罕的路易十五玳瑁及黑檀木抽屜櫃，傳為法國帕葛名匠（Maitre aux Pagodes）所製，在1996年5月21日紐約佳士得的「祖安·托爾·甘明思故藏」（Collection of the late Joanne Toor Cummings）拍賣會上售出，拍品編號238。其舊藏的另一件抽屜櫃現藏於紐約大都會博物館（參考編號： 64.101.111）。谷特在1944至1953年之間逐步建立起其收藏，曾於多個重要的拍賣會上有所收穫，包括1950年7月2日倫敦佳士得的「威爾敦伯爵七世收藏」（Collection of 7^th Earl of Wilton）拍賣會。

 

- J.D. Augarde, J.N. Ronfort, "Le Maître du Bureau de l’Electeur", L’Estampille, January 1991

- J.N. Ronfort et al., André-Charles Boulle, un nouveau Style pour l’Europe, catalogue de l’exposition, éditions Somogy, Italy, 2009

- A. Pradère, Charles Cressent, éditions Faton, Dijon, 2003

This is an exceptional piece of furniture, No other directly comparable desk is known there are no other examples on the market at present. The female heads are of a unique model. This desk is an important and significant example of the oeuvre of Bernard I van Risen Burgh, one of the greatest cabinet-makers from Louis XIV`s reign, equal to André-Charles Boulle. The piece is in overall good condition. The veneer is amaranth rather than kingwood as stated in the catalogue. The colour overall is slightly darker than it appears in the photograph. The back and sides are slightly more faded than the rest and could benefit from a re-polish according to taste. The mounts are more golden in colour and more attractive than they appear in the catalogue illustration. The top: The pine panel forming the underside to the top (only visible from inside) has been replaced.The top is removable and is attached to the desk with new wooden brackets. The leather has been replaced and is attractively worn and has dents and scratches consistent with age and normal usage. The carcass: The underneath shows few minor replacements and has been stained. Very few minor traces of wood worm, especially inside the drawers which is hardly noticeable and appears to be no longer active. The drawers have the original walnut drawer linings. The veneer: The veneers have been carefully examined. There are minor patches, chips and losses in places with some minor restorations. The losses can easily be restored. There are some horizontal shrinkage cracks on both sides, as visible in the catalogue illustrations and other minor characteristic age cracks. There are some darks stains to the dummy drawers A small lifting to the veneer on the central drawer. The left side and the back have been sun bleached. The gilt bronzes: The gilt-bronze mounts have all been carefully examined. The gilding on the rim is tarnished and rubbed and the mounts are slightly rubbed especially on the noses of the female figures and on the paw feet. On the left side, the small lower part of the codiform element is missing (pictures of this difference are available). One mount on the front lower left hand side has been replaced. The keys are missing. A full and illustrated report made by a restorer is available on request
"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."

此攝政時期黃檀木書桌約製於1725年，出自十八世紀法國著名木工師貝納·凡·列森伯一世之手，印有 BVRB 印章。此書桌之鑲件及鎏金裝飾精美細膩，設計高雅，是攝政時期家具之典範。

此書桌體現了列森伯的幾個設計特點。款式堂皇華貴，桌腿突顯的曲線可見於列森伯的其他作品，如現存巴黎裝飾藝術博物館（Paris Musée des Arts Décoratifs）及倫敦華勒斯收藏館（Wallace Collection）的藏品。圍邊側面之裝飾也可見於列森伯的其他作品。此品之鑲件具有印第安人頭像，並無他例可尋，應是列森伯專門為此書桌而設計。鑰匙孔飾片及邊抽屜為查爾斯·克雷桑之設計。