A LOUIS XIV WALNUT AND FLORAL MARQUETRY TABLE A CHANGEUR
A LOUIS XIV WALNUT AND FLORAL MARQUETRY TABLE A CHANGEUR

CIRCA 1680, POSSIBLY FLEMISH

Details
A LOUIS XIV WALNUT AND FLORAL MARQUETRY TABLE A CHANGEUR
Circa 1680, possibly Flemish
The rectangular hinged crossbanded top inlaid with a basket issuing flowers and foliate scrolls opening to a baize-lined playing surface, above a panelled frieze inlaid at the front and sides with further flowers and foliate scrolls, with a drawer to one end, on square turned tapering gateleg supports joined by floral-inlaid stretchers on ball feet
29½in. (75cm.) high, 31in. (79cm.) wide, 11in. (28cm.) deep

Lot Essay

The ébéniste Godron delivered two tables of this type on 7 September, 1688 for the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne to furnish the château de Trianon. They were described as table à l'anglaise, the term table à changeur being a rather later usage:

deux tables de bois violet brisées lesquelles portent de longeur 2 pieds 1/2 sur 22 pouces de large et 26 po de haut. Le dessus ouvre en deux, porteées par des pieds qui ouvrent en brizures, dans le dessus il y a à chacune une ecritoire, 2 boettes (boîtes) et 2 tiroirs fermant à clef qui se tirent par les cotes, le tout de bois violet plaqué portée chacune par 6 colonnes du bois violet plein

The very dense style of floral marquetry decoration on the top of this table is inspired by overdoors painted by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer. He in turn had been inspired by engravings published in the mid-17th Century by Paul Androuet du Cerceau in his Livre d'Ornements de feuillages. A likely maker for this table is the Flemish cabinetmaker Philips van Santwijck.