BY JACOB FRÈRES, CIRCA 1796-1803

Details

A DIRECTOIRE ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY TABLE A LA TRONCHIN
BY JACOB FRÈRES, CIRCA 1796-1803
The double-ratchetted adjustable rectangular top with leather-lined writing slope with spring mechanism and with removable book stop, with moulded ormolu edge above a frieze drawer enclosing a writing-slide and removable writing compartment including a glass ink bottle, applied with lozenges to the corners, with a writing-slide to each end, on guttae-headed square tapering legs, ormolu square sabots and brass castors, stamped to the underside 'JACOB FRERES' and (partially obliterated) 'RUE MESLEE' beneath, some mounts possibly replaced
31¾ in. (80.5 cm.) high; 38 in. (96.5 cm.) wide; 23 in. (58.5 cm.) deep

Provenance

Acquired from Garrick C. Stephenson, New York, 1989.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

The stamp is that of Georges II and François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter, in use from 1796-1803.

This type of multi-purpose writing table, with ratchetted reading and drawing slope, was named a table à la Tronchin in honour of the Swiss doctor Tronchin (d. 1781), who recommended the use of such a table for reading or writing while standing. The cabinet-maker Etienne Avril (matre in 1774) signed a related table now in the Musée Tavel-Delacour, Pontoise (N. de Reyniés, Le Mobilier Domestique, Paris, 1987, vol. II, no. 4289).

More from Furniture & Clocks

View All