IN THE LOUIS XV STYLE, CIRCA 1870

A number of examples of this model are known, some of which are signed by celebrated bnistes of the 19th century such as J. Beurdeley, Joseph Cremer or Befort. One may now be found in the Collection of His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, at Bowhill; a pair is in the Collection of the Earl of Normanton, at Somerley, purchased at Toms & Luscombe, New Bond Street, London in 1871, and stated at that time to be copied from a table in the possession of Baron Lionel de Rothschild. Another example, purchased by the 7th Viscount Powerscourt from Wright & Mansfield, Bond Street, London, was sold at Christie's House sale, Powerscourt, County Wicklow, Ireland, 24 & 25 September 1984, lot 489. Another was sold by Sotheby's House sale, at the Villa Demidoff, Near Florence, 21-24 April 1969, lot 235. A Boulle marquetry version was sold at Christie's, New York, 26 October 1993, lot 383. Two other examples are illustrated in Christopher Payne's, 19th Century European Furniture, Woodbridge, 1989, p.108.
The carcass of this bureau plat has quarter-cut timbers, which indicates the high quality method of construction that gives stability to the framework and its veneer facing.