Lot Essay
Philippe Claude Montigny was elected maître in 1766 and took shortly after succeeded to his father's business. Described by the Almanach Dauphin in 1777 as being 'un des plus renommé pour les meubles de marqueterie en ecaille, et argent en ébène et cuivre dans le genre des ouvrages du célèbre Boulle.'. Montigny's atelier flourished
Three further closely related encriers by Montigny are recorded: one from the Foures Collection, with a jewelled frieze, probably previously in the Segano Collection was sold in Paris 27 June 1935; another, sold anonymously in Paris, Couturier-Nicolay, 30 November 1978, lot 72, had an ornamental frieze of arabesques and was probably made en suite with the bureau sold anonymously at Parke Bernet, New York, November 1957: a final example was sold in Paris at the Galleria, 13 December 1962, lot 220.
This distinctive frieze also appears on the bureau formerly in the Bardac Collection, sold Paris, 9 December 1927, lot 112 as well as on a cartonnier exhibited in 1955 in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Grands Ebénistes et Menuisiers Parisiens du 18ème siècle, 1740-1790, no 215, pl. 19.
Three further closely related encriers by Montigny are recorded: one from the Foures Collection, with a jewelled frieze, probably previously in the Segano Collection was sold in Paris 27 June 1935; another, sold anonymously in Paris, Couturier-Nicolay, 30 November 1978, lot 72, had an ornamental frieze of arabesques and was probably made en suite with the bureau sold anonymously at Parke Bernet, New York, November 1957: a final example was sold in Paris at the Galleria, 13 December 1962, lot 220.
This distinctive frieze also appears on the bureau formerly in the Bardac Collection, sold Paris, 9 December 1927, lot 112 as well as on a cartonnier exhibited in 1955 in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Grands Ebénistes et Menuisiers Parisiens du 18ème siècle, 1740-1790, no 215, pl. 19.