Lot Essay
Charles Topino (d. 1803), of the rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine specialised in light, delicate furniture often enriched with marquetry panels of flowers or 'naïf' still-lifes. His characteristic bronzes doré were cast by Viret, chased by Chamboin and Dubuisson and gilded by Bécard, Gerard and Vallet. His principal customers were marchands-merciers and fellow ébénistes including Dautriche, Denizot, Guillaume and Héricourt (G. de Bellaigue, The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor: Furniture, Clocks and Gilt Bronzes, London, 1974, vol. II, p. 880-882).
A closely related table, with identical gallery mounts and stamped by RVLC, was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 1 July 1976, lot 69. A further similar example, by Topino, was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 16 December 1966, lot 154. A pair of related tables by RVLC, with similar mount at the head of the legs and similar lower gallery mount, was previously at Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire, and with Carlton Hobbs, by 1993.
A closely related table, with identical gallery mounts and stamped by RVLC, was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 1 July 1976, lot 69. A further similar example, by Topino, was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 16 December 1966, lot 154. A pair of related tables by RVLC, with similar mount at the head of the legs and similar lower gallery mount, was previously at Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire, and with Carlton Hobbs, by 1993.