CIRCA 1820-1830, POSSIBLY AUSTRIAN, THE INTERIOR FRENCH

Details

A NORTH EUROPEAN ORMOLU-MOUNTED STAINED BURR-BIRCH WORKBOX-ON-STAND
CIRCA 1820-1830, POSSIBLY AUSTRIAN, THE INTERIOR FRENCH
The sarcophagus-shaped box with hinged lid mounted with floral sprays and drop-handles, one marked GA, enclosing a silk lined interior fitted with a velvet lined tray with various compartments holding mother-of-pearl and steel utensils, marked A PARIS, as well as silver-gilt-mounted cut-glass containers with an engraved lid with baron's crown above initial B, the stand with lyre-shaped supports headed by lions' masks, joined by a turned stretcher and terminating in paw feet with sunken castors
90 cm. high x 60 cm. wide x 55 cm. deep

Special notice

Christie’s charges a premium to the buyer on the Hammer Price of each lot sold at the following rates: 29.75% of the Hammer Price of each lot up to and including €5,000, plus 23.8% of the Hammer Price between €5,001 and €400,000, plus 14.28% of any amount in excess of €400,001. Buyer’s premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.

Lot Essay

The present lot with its fine ormolu mounts and exuberant form clearly shows French influences, however the use of burr-birch veneers, the thickly turned baluster stretcher and the complex movement of the lyre supports with square sectioned legs show a strong Austrian influence. Clearly a courtly work of art like this work table needed the best available fittings which were commissioned in Paris. The luxuereus utensils exquisitely carved from mother-of-pearl and silver-gilt are of the highest quality.

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