.jpg?w=1)
拍品專文
This elegant bureau plat, veneered in English taste with superb flame-figured mahogany, was designed in the Louis XVI antique/Grecian manner adopted in the 1770s by David Roentgen of Neuwied (d.1807), whom Empress Catherine the Great praised as the greatest ébéniste of the century.
The table frieze is sunk in tablets enwreathed in Etruscan fashion by golden Venus pearl-strings; while golden tablets with Egyptian veil-drapery striations embellish its herm-tapered pilasters. A secetary desk-slide is concealed in the end; while its box-fitted cartonnier has a hollowed and drawer-fitted cornice providing a Grecian altar-stepped pedestal for a clock, etc. Further elements reflect Roentgen's skill as a mécanicien; it is fitted with hinge-dividing drawers and screw-topped legs for easy transport and assembly. Roentgen, who first visited Paris in 1774, was elected to the communauté des menuisières-ébénistes, in 1780 and later received the courtesy title of Ebèniste-mécanicien to Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. His furniture, executed in bel acajou found particular favour in many European courts, and especially at that of Empress Catherine (G. Himmelheber, 'The Craftsmanship of David Roentgen', Connoisseur, September 1976, pp.17-21).
THE DUC DE CAMBACERES
Jean-Jacques Regis de Cambacères (1753-1824) was a French politician whose career had begun in law. Shortly before the 1789 Revolution, he became the secretary representing the gentry, but was soon to change sides with the advent of the Revolution as he was a republican at heart. In 1792 he was elected député à la convention and he prepared the case against Louis XVI during the King's trial. He then became president of the comité du salut public, promoting peace between Spain and Russia.
Under Napoléon, Cambacères was given a life appointment as archichancelier of the Senate, was created Duke of Parma and was awarded numerous decorations. He resided in the hôtel de Roquelaure, which was entirely furnished with pieces presented by Napoléon in 1807. He remained a loyal republican and died in Paris at the age of 71, after having been exiled in Belgium.
The table frieze is sunk in tablets enwreathed in Etruscan fashion by golden Venus pearl-strings; while golden tablets with Egyptian veil-drapery striations embellish its herm-tapered pilasters. A secetary desk-slide is concealed in the end; while its box-fitted cartonnier has a hollowed and drawer-fitted cornice providing a Grecian altar-stepped pedestal for a clock, etc. Further elements reflect Roentgen's skill as a mécanicien; it is fitted with hinge-dividing drawers and screw-topped legs for easy transport and assembly. Roentgen, who first visited Paris in 1774, was elected to the communauté des menuisières-ébénistes, in 1780 and later received the courtesy title of Ebèniste-mécanicien to Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. His furniture, executed in bel acajou found particular favour in many European courts, and especially at that of Empress Catherine (G. Himmelheber, 'The Craftsmanship of David Roentgen', Connoisseur, September 1976, pp.17-21).
THE DUC DE CAMBACERES
Jean-Jacques Regis de Cambacères (1753-1824) was a French politician whose career had begun in law. Shortly before the 1789 Revolution, he became the secretary representing the gentry, but was soon to change sides with the advent of the Revolution as he was a republican at heart. In 1792 he was elected député à la convention and he prepared the case against Louis XVI during the King's trial. He then became president of the comité du salut public, promoting peace between Spain and Russia.
Under Napoléon, Cambacères was given a life appointment as archichancelier of the Senate, was created Duke of Parma and was awarded numerous decorations. He resided in the hôtel de Roquelaure, which was entirely furnished with pieces presented by Napoléon in 1807. He remained a loyal republican and died in Paris at the age of 71, after having been exiled in Belgium.