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A pair of Napoleon III ormolu-mounted cut brass and pewter-inlaid rosewood and burr maple bibliotheques

MID-19TH CENTURY

Details

A pair of Napoleon III ormolu-mounted cut brass and pewter-inlaid rosewood and burr maple bibliotheques
Mid-19th Century
Inlaid in première and contre partie, each with shaped pediment centred to the front by a floral and strapwork cartouche, above a pair of glazed doors, the burr maple-lined interior fitted with two adjustable shelves, flanked to the angles by ribbon-tied fruit pendants, with foliate-inlaid sides, the projecting lower section fitted with two inlaid frieze drawers, above a pair of inlaid cupboard doors, the interior fitted with an adjustable shelf, on a shaped stepped base
103 in. (262 cm.) high; 52¾ in. (134 cm.) wide; 22½ in. (57 cm.) deep (2)

Provenance

Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, London, 7 October 1994, lot 136 (£19,550).

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The use of première and contre partie against a veneered rosewood ground is a relatively unusual and sophisticated form of the revival of the Boulle technique in the 19th century. The colour of the metal inlay has been cleverly contrasted by using brass for yellow and pewter to imitate silver, both of which were used by André-Charles Boulle in his important early 18th century commissions.

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