ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN MCLEAN, CIRCA 1815

This pair of ormolu-enriched rosewood writing-tables reflects the Louis XVI style adopted for fashionable drawing-rooms in the early 19th century. The pair can be firmly attributed to the workshops of John McLean and Son (1770-1825), specialists in elegant 'Parisian Furniture', and closely relates to a number of works illustrated in Simon Redburn, 'John McLean & Son', Furniture History Journal, vol. XIV, 1978, figs 38b - 40a. Examples from this group conform in their overall form and featuring of gilt-metal mounts and brass trelliswork and use of highly-figured rosewood veneers. In particular, fig. 39a bears striking resemblance to the present model through the identical use of 'match striker' panels flanking the sides, drawers adorned with ring-turned lion mask handles and floral swags, and turned legs headed by male herms. A closely related single writing table or bonheur-du-jour was sold Tom Devenish: The Collection, Sotheby's, New York, 24 April 2008, lot 178 ($37,000 including premium), another was sold anonymously Sotheby's, 3 December 2013 (£25,000 including premium).