Lot Essay
Pierre Roussel, maître in 1745.
Established in the rue de Charenton at l'Image de St. Pierre, Roussel was described as early as 1769 in the Almanach de Vray Merité as 'l'un des premiers ébénistes de Paris'. Particularly renowned for his floral marquetry, often executed for the German market and characterised by the heavy use of engraving to enhance its naturalistic quality, this commode typifies Roussel's style of the early 1760's. A closely related commode sold Christies New York, 22 November 1983, lot 109 ($ 22,000). Another related commode by Roussel was sold from the Alexander collection, sold Christie's New York, 30 April 1999, lot 180 ($ 244,500).
Established in the rue de Charenton at l'Image de St. Pierre, Roussel was described as early as 1769 in the Almanach de Vray Merité as 'l'un des premiers ébénistes de Paris'. Particularly renowned for his floral marquetry, often executed for the German market and characterised by the heavy use of engraving to enhance its naturalistic quality, this commode typifies Roussel's style of the early 1760's. A closely related commode sold Christies New York, 22 November 1983, lot 109 ($ 22,000). Another related commode by Roussel was sold from the Alexander collection, sold Christie's New York, 30 April 1999, lot 180 ($ 244,500).