OF LOUIS XV STYLE, POSSIBLY AUSTRIAN, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

This table is identical in its form and marquetry to an 18th century table 'à la Bourgogne' gifted in 1986 by the Duchess of Windsor to Versailles and today displayed in the in the Chambre à coucher of Madame de Pompadour. 'À la Bourgogne' refers to the rising case mechanism of the 18th century tables, not fitted to the present lot. Another 18th century example sold Sotheby's, London, 24 November 1988, lot 19. That example had the provenance of Count Harrach, Vienna, then subsequently Monsieur George Wildenstein and was sold from the collection of M. Akram Ojjeh, Sotheby's, Monaco, 26 June 1979, lot 191. The connection to Vienna is interesting because it has been speculated that the 18th century tables of this model are not of French manufacture. The present lot, dating to the mid-19th century has original locks stamped 'E.O.SCHMIDT WIEN' and its construction also calls to mind North European craftsmanship. It is therefore possible to speculate that the present table might have been copied from the Count Harrach table whilst in Vienna.