REF NO : B74861

A Magnificent and Very Rare Régence Style Marquetry Inlaid Grand Bureau Plat

French, Circa 1870

£275,000

A Magnificent and Very Rare Régence Style Marquetry Inlaid Grand Bureau Plat. Inscribed to the carcass 'Moreaux 72'. Dating from the second half of...

Dimensions

Height: 95 cm (38 in)
Width: 223 cm (88 in)
Depth: 110 cm (44 in)
REF NO : B74861

Description

A Magnificent and Very Rare Régence Style Marquetry Inlaid Grand Bureau Plat.

Inscribed to the carcass ‘Moreaux 72’.

Dating from the second half of the nineteenth century this magnificent and very rare bureau plat has finely cast rocaille gilt-bronze mounts and is decorated overall with truly breath-taking marquetry, depicting hunting and architectural-scenes.

Of serpentine rectangular form the top is veneered with superb marquetry panels within a foliate scrolled border and a rocaille shell-cast gilt-bronze surround, both sides featuring a recessed central drawer flanked on each side by a drawer applied with male and female terms, scrolled handles, and reserves with conforming drawers; the bombé sides are centred by foliate scrolls, and the whole raised on cabriole legs headed by cartouches with foliate entwined chutes terminating in scrolled sabots.

This model of bureau plat was made by a small number of celebrated Parisian cabinet makers in the second half of the nineteenth century including Beurdeley, Cremer and Befort Jeune. It is incredibly rare to see this model of bureau plat inlaid in marquetry. The exceptional quality and style indicates the use of older reused marquetry, almost certainly dating from the late seventeenth century and originating from the Augsburg region of Germany.

Similar models but lacking the exceptional marquetry inlay can be found in the collection of the Duke of Buccleuch, at Bowhill and the Earl of Normanton at Somerlely. Christopher Payne notes that the latter was part of a pair sold by the London dealer Toms & Luscombe in 1871. He illustrates the present bureau plat in his book ‘European Furniture of the 19th Century’ (p. 88-89), along with two related desks minus the marquetry inlay (p. 92 -93).

Of impressive scale this fine bureau plat in the manner of a partners desk features working drawers to each side.

French, Circa 1870.
The earlier marquetry German, Late 17th Century.

Date

Circa 1870

Origin

French

Medium

Marquetry

Signature

Inscribed to the carcass 'Moreaux 72'.

Literature

Christopher, Payne, European Furniture of the 19th Century, Antique Collectors Club, 2013; pp. 88-89 & 92-93.

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