STAMPED P.H.MEWESEN JME

Details

A LOUIS XV/XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED KINGWOOD, TULIPWOOD AND MARQUETRY BONHEUR-DU-JOUR
Stamped P.H.MEWESEN JME
Inlaid overall with naif marquetry of kitchen utensils, writing implements and vases of flowers, the raised superstructure with pierced Greek-key pattern three-quarter gallery above an inverted breakfront superstructure with four drawers and a deep coffre-fort drawer, the Vitruvian-scroll inlaid frieze with a writing drawer with leather-lined slide and originally with inkwell alongside, on tapering legs headed by domed paterae and joined by a concave-fronted rectangular undertier, on block sabots, the reverse also inlaid with marquetry, stamped P H MEWESEN JME, the patera mounts at the tops of the legs probably originally with further mounts, the undertier possibly originally with a gallery, with four keys
35¾in. (91cm.) high; 23¾in. (60.5cm.) wide; 16in. (41cm.) deep

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Pierre-Harry Mewesen, maître in 1766.

Mewesen, like his confrère Charles Topino, appears to have specialised in the production of 'naif' marquetry bonheur-du-jours whose scattered kitchen utensils were inspired by the borders of Oriental lacquer screens. An almost identical bonheur-du-jour was sold anonymously at Christie's New York, 26 April 1994, lot 162, whilst a further example was sold from the collection of Edward James, West Dean, Christie's house sale, 2-6 June 1986, lot 113.

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