Lot Essay
Guillaume Kemp, received maître 1764.
This model of jewel-coffer secretaire en cabinet, dating from the 1760's, was probably originally conceived by the marchand-mercier Simon-Philippe Poirier. Executed in both bois de bout and early neo-classical marquetry, parquetry and even Japanese lacquer, the model is known to have been made by ébénistes ranging from Bernard II van Risenburgh and Joseph Baumhauer to Simon Oeben and Roger van der Cruse, dit Lacroix (sold anonymously at Christie's Monaco, 13 December 1998, lot 320). The categoric link with Poirier was provided by an example by BVRB veneered in Japanese lacquer, whose interior drawer was inscribed 'Poirier..Marchand' (sold from the Alexander Collection, Christie's New York, 30 April 1999, lot 105).
An identical trellis frieze is to be found on a secrétaire stamped by Kemp, sold anonymously at Sotheby's New York, 6 November 1982, lot 189.
This model of jewel-coffer secretaire en cabinet, dating from the 1760's, was probably originally conceived by the marchand-mercier Simon-Philippe Poirier. Executed in both bois de bout and early neo-classical marquetry, parquetry and even Japanese lacquer, the model is known to have been made by ébénistes ranging from Bernard II van Risenburgh and Joseph Baumhauer to Simon Oeben and Roger van der Cruse, dit Lacroix (sold anonymously at Christie's Monaco, 13 December 1998, lot 320). The categoric link with Poirier was provided by an example by BVRB veneered in Japanese lacquer, whose interior drawer was inscribed 'Poirier..Marchand' (sold from the Alexander Collection, Christie's New York, 30 April 1999, lot 105).
An identical trellis frieze is to be found on a secrétaire stamped by Kemp, sold anonymously at Sotheby's New York, 6 November 1982, lot 189.