AN EARLY LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID KINGWOOD AND PARQUETRY BIBLIOTHEQUE EN ARMOIRE

Details
AN EARLY LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID KINGWOOD AND PARQUETRY BIBLIOTHEQUE EN ARMOIRE
Crossbanded overall, the brass-bound shaped rectangular top above a spreading cornice mounted with scrolled acanthus C-scrolls and enclosing one long drawer, the escutcheon cast with floral-trellis within a C-scroll cartouche, the stepped cornice above a pair of arched rectangular panelled doors inlaid à quatre faces with scalloped motifs and foliate C-scroll cabochon angle-clasps, enclosing a fitted interior with brass-filleted shelves, the fluted pilaster strips flanked to each side by two further bombé doors inlaid à quatre faces and enclosing further shelves, above a waved apron with confronting C-scroll and foliate dragon mounts and on waved bracket feet mounted with a chinoiserie figure within a confronting C-scroll and foliate dragon cartouche, part of the central escutcheon lacking
71¼in. (181cm.) wide; 66¼in. (168cm.) high; 17¾in. (45cm.) deep
Provenance
Almost certainly acquired by John, 2nd Marquess of Bute (1793-1848) for Cardiff Castle.

Lot Essay

This armoire is extremely closely related to a pair of bibliothèques from the collection of Claude Cartier, which was sold at Sotheby's Monaco, 25 November 1979, lot 157 and was consequently exhibited at the Biennale des Antiquaires in 1984.

Four further armoires or 'bibliothèques en armoire' are recorded:
- one was sold by Madame A. in Paris, 30 January 1950, lot 138.
- another, from the collection of Madame Douine, was sold at Sotheby's Monaco, 4 December 1987, lot 291.
- another was sold anonymously at Ader Picard Tajan, Paris, 23 June 1988, lot 67.
- a final example was sold at Couturier-Nicholay, Paris, 4 December 1987 (no lot number).

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