Manner of Charles Cressent
Manner of Charles Cressent
A Fine Régence Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Parquetry Bureau Plat
French, Circa 1890
REF No. B75090
In very good original unrestored condition
dimensions
Height :76 cm | 29⁷/₈ in
Width :158 cm | 62¹/₄ in
Depth :82 cm | 32¹/₄ in
Width :158 cm | 62¹/₄ in
Depth :82 cm | 32¹/₄ in
description
A Fine Regence Style Gilt-bronze Mounted Parquetry Bureau Plat, In The Manner of Charles Cressent.
This fine parquetry inlaid bureau plat has a tooled leather top and sumptuous gilt-bronze mounts.
The desk has a shaped frieze fitted with three drawers, each with with parquetry inlay and gilt-bronze rocaille borders; the ends are mounted with gilt-bronze masks and conforming inlaid cartouches. The desk is raised on cabriole legs headed by superb large figural female espagnolette chutes and terminating in rocaille cast lion’s-paw feet.
In very good original unrestored condition
French, Circa 1890.
This fine parquetry inlaid bureau plat has a tooled leather top and sumptuous gilt-bronze mounts.
The desk has a shaped frieze fitted with three drawers, each with with parquetry inlay and gilt-bronze rocaille borders; the ends are mounted with gilt-bronze masks and conforming inlaid cartouches. The desk is raised on cabriole legs headed by superb large figural female espagnolette chutes and terminating in rocaille cast lion’s-paw feet.
In very good original unrestored condition
French, Circa 1890.
maker
Charles Cressent (1685-1768) was a French leading ébéniste and sculptor of the late Régence and early Rococo periods, becoming a master sculptor in 1719. He worked as both ébéniste and sculptor to the Regent, Philippe II, Duc d'Orléans. His furniture was often decorated with plain veneers, usually of satinwood and amaranth, or veneers in patterns of parquetry.
Cressent was best known for the highly sculptural gilt bronze mounts that ornamented his furniture. In order to supervise production and guarantee the quality of his mounts, he employed master casters and gilders in his workshop. This practice broke the strict rules of the French guild system, and the guild prosecuted him for practicing the two professions of cabinet making and gilding in the same workshop. In order to pay the resulting fines, Cressent was forced to hold sales of his stock. The catalogues from these auctions, which he wrote himself, provide important evidence to identify his works, as Cressent's furniture was always unsigned.
Cressent was best known for the highly sculptural gilt bronze mounts that ornamented his furniture. In order to supervise production and guarantee the quality of his mounts, he employed master casters and gilders in his workshop. This practice broke the strict rules of the French guild system, and the guild prosecuted him for practicing the two professions of cabinet making and gilding in the same workshop. In order to pay the resulting fines, Cressent was forced to hold sales of his stock. The catalogues from these auctions, which he wrote himself, provide important evidence to identify his works, as Cressent's furniture was always unsigned.
