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Lot Essay
Roger Van der Cruse, known as Lacroix, became maître in 1755. He was one of the best ébénistes of the Louis XVI period. The brother-in-law of Jean-François Oeben (and subsequently Jean-Henri Riesener), as well as Simon Oeben and the ciseleur André Ravrio, Lacroix established his atelier in the rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine and used two stamps, 'LACROIX' and the abbreviated version 'R.V.L.C.', depending on whether his patrons were private or marchands. Patronised by the marchands-merciers Pierre II Migeon (between 1751 and 1758) and Simon-Philippe Poirier, for whom he supplied furniture destined for Madame du Barry at Louveciennes, at the end of the 1760s, he also supplied commodes for the ébéniste du roi Gilles Joubert.
A serre-bijoux stamped 'R.LACROIX' of virtually identical model but with floral marquetry and an undertier was sold Christie's, Monaco, 13 December 1998. Another plainer one stamped 'RVLC' sold in Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 1 July 1987, lot 74.
However, closely related serre-bijoux of this model are mostly associated with Bernard Van Riesenburgh (maître before 1730) as there are several stamped pieces known by him. The outlines and design of the simulated panels are very similar to the here offered lot. They can be with plain veneers or with additional marquetry, examples of which are a jewel cabinet from the Patiño collection, sold Sotheby's, New York, 1 November 1986, lot 116, and another sold Christie's, London, 4 December 1986, lot 116.
The close similarities between these serre-bijoux by Van der Cruse and Van Risenburgh are explained by the fact that they both supplied Simon-Philippe Poirier, who probably created this type of furniture.
A serre-bijoux stamped 'R.LACROIX' of virtually identical model but with floral marquetry and an undertier was sold Christie's, Monaco, 13 December 1998. Another plainer one stamped 'RVLC' sold in Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 1 July 1987, lot 74.
However, closely related serre-bijoux of this model are mostly associated with Bernard Van Riesenburgh (maître before 1730) as there are several stamped pieces known by him. The outlines and design of the simulated panels are very similar to the here offered lot. They can be with plain veneers or with additional marquetry, examples of which are a jewel cabinet from the Patiño collection, sold Sotheby's, New York, 1 November 1986, lot 116, and another sold Christie's, London, 4 December 1986, lot 116.
The close similarities between these serre-bijoux by Van der Cruse and Van Risenburgh are explained by the fact that they both supplied Simon-Philippe Poirier, who probably created this type of furniture.