CIRCA 1770, IN THE MANNER OF GUILLAUME KEMP

With its floral-trellis parquetry decoration, stylised husk-trails and overall form, this table crire relates closely to those executed by Guillaume Kemp, who was elected matre in 1764. These include that illustrated in Connaissance des Arts, 1956, p.54, fig.F, as well as another sold anonymously at Sotheby's London, 15 July 1955, lot 68. This pattern of parquetry was by no means exclusive to Kemp, however, and shares much in common with the oeuvres of both RVLC (matre in 1749) and Godefroy Dester (matre in 1774), who stamped the closely related table sold by the 6th Earl of Rosebery from Mentmore Towers, Sotheby's house sale, 18-20 May 1977, lot 441.