A FRENCH KINGWOOD AND ORMOLU MOUNTED BUREAU PLAT IN REGENCE STYLE

A FRENCH KINGWOOD AND ORMOLU MOUNTED BUREAU PLAT IN REGENCE STYLE

AFTER THE MODEL BY CHARLES CRESSENT, LATE 19TH / EARLY 20TH CENTURY

the rectangular top inset with a gilt tooled tan leather writing surface within a moulded border and shell mounts to the corners, above three frieze drawers with substantial leaf cast handles interspersed with bearded male masks concealing secret drawers, with espagnolette chutes, the ends with satyr masks and on lion's paw feet

80.9cm high, 202.2cm wide, 100.5cm deep

Provenance

Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009)

The Trustees of Exbury House

Catalogue Note

This fine bureau plat is based on two known examples by the ebeniste Charles Cressent (1685-1768) who ranks with Boulle, Riesener and Gouthiere as one of the most famous craftsmen of the 18th century. He was recorded as the official cabinet maker to the Duc d'Orleans who served as Regent to the young Louis XV from 1715-23. One of his specialities was the bureau plat, a new form of writing table thought to have been invented by Andre-Charles Bulle at the beginnig of the 18th century. One example is in the J.P. Getty Museum Collection (67.DA.10) and the other was formerly in the collection of Alfred de Rothschild and by descent to Edmund de Rothschild. It can be seen in the photograph of the Central Hall at Halton House.

Literature

Alexandre Pradere, Charles Cressent: sculpteur, ebeniste du Regent.