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Lot Essay
The son of a cabinet-maker of Dutch origin, Bernard II van Risen Burgh is arguably the most celebrated ébéniste of the Rococo period.
Although BVRB is perhaps most celebrated for the use of innovative materials in his furniture such as lacquer and porcelain, he is also credited with the reintroduction of floral marquetry decoration inspired by the legacy of Andre-Charles Boulle. BVRB is also renowned for the extraordinary design, burnishing and chasing of his ormolu mounts which are solely found on his pieces and do not recur, as was typically the case, on furniture by other makers. It is therefore assumed that he either designed his own mounts, a rare practice for an ébéniste of the period, or that they were reserved by his bronzier for his exclusive use.
This sophisticated commode displays BVRB's use of bois de bout marquetry and the high quality of his ormolu mounts. The angle mounts in particular, with their dynamic flowing form and typical pierced centers, relate to a bureau en pente sold from the Alexander Collection at Christie's, New York, 30 April 1999, lot 103 and most recently sold from the Segoura Collection at Christie's, New York, 19 October 2006, lot 237.
The name BOUVIER inscribed on the shipping label could refer to the legendary Parisian dealer Henriette Bouvier. In 1965, she donated her personal collection of French furniture to the Musée Carnavalet in Paris.
Although BVRB is perhaps most celebrated for the use of innovative materials in his furniture such as lacquer and porcelain, he is also credited with the reintroduction of floral marquetry decoration inspired by the legacy of Andre-Charles Boulle. BVRB is also renowned for the extraordinary design, burnishing and chasing of his ormolu mounts which are solely found on his pieces and do not recur, as was typically the case, on furniture by other makers. It is therefore assumed that he either designed his own mounts, a rare practice for an ébéniste of the period, or that they were reserved by his bronzier for his exclusive use.
This sophisticated commode displays BVRB's use of bois de bout marquetry and the high quality of his ormolu mounts. The angle mounts in particular, with their dynamic flowing form and typical pierced centers, relate to a bureau en pente sold from the Alexander Collection at Christie's, New York, 30 April 1999, lot 103 and most recently sold from the Segoura Collection at Christie's, New York, 19 October 2006, lot 237.
The name BOUVIER inscribed on the shipping label could refer to the legendary Parisian dealer Henriette Bouvier. In 1965, she donated her personal collection of French furniture to the Musée Carnavalet in Paris.