Lot Essay
Etienne Levasseur (as repairer), maître in 1766
Danchot is recorded only as a bronze maker (active 1777-1781) working on the Beaumarchais desk, now at Waddesdon (G. de Bellaigue, Catalogue of the James A. de Rothschild Collection, Fribourg, 1974, vol.I, p.312).
This model of pedestal, of which numerous examples (with variations) are known, closely follows a design by André-Charles Boulle engraved on Plate 1 of his Nouveaux dessins ...chez Mariette. There are four of this model at Stratfield Saye, Hampshire, which were purchased in Paris by the 1st Duke of Wellington. A pair from the collection of Lord Trevor were sold in these Rooms, 14 April 1983, lot 93. These had previously been sold in H.R.H. the Duke of York's sale at Christie's, 5 April 1827, lots 110 and 111. A further six are in the Louvre, some stamped by either Severin or Levasseur as repairers. Another pair, probably from the collection of Alfred de Rothschild at Halton, Buckinghamshire was sold at Sotheby's London, 24 June 1988, lot 73; a further pair in contre partie marquetry was sold at Christie's, Monaco, 18 June 1989, lot 210. Others including those at Uppark and Chatsworth are listed by Pradère (op. cit., pp. 105-106)
Danchot is recorded only as a bronze maker (active 1777-1781) working on the Beaumarchais desk, now at Waddesdon (G. de Bellaigue, Catalogue of the James A. de Rothschild Collection, Fribourg, 1974, vol.I, p.312).
This model of pedestal, of which numerous examples (with variations) are known, closely follows a design by André-Charles Boulle engraved on Plate 1 of his Nouveaux dessins ...chez Mariette. There are four of this model at Stratfield Saye, Hampshire, which were purchased in Paris by the 1st Duke of Wellington. A pair from the collection of Lord Trevor were sold in these Rooms, 14 April 1983, lot 93. These had previously been sold in H.R.H. the Duke of York's sale at Christie's, 5 April 1827, lots 110 and 111. A further six are in the Louvre, some stamped by either Severin or Levasseur as repairers. Another pair, probably from the collection of Alfred de Rothschild at Halton, Buckinghamshire was sold at Sotheby's London, 24 June 1988, lot 73; a further pair in contre partie marquetry was sold at Christie's, Monaco, 18 June 1989, lot 210. Others including those at Uppark and Chatsworth are listed by Pradère (op. cit., pp. 105-106)