Lot Essay
Identical ormolu medallions feature on a Louis XIV armoire by André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732) in the Wallace collection, which is illustrated in P. Hughes, The Wallace Collection, London, 1996, vol. II, p. 811, no. 171(F63). These medallions are displayed in octagonal compartments in the doors and reflect the style popularised by Jean le Pautre's (1618-1682) à l'Italienne designs of the 1660s. These included designs for cabinets, similarly decorated with a large portrait medallion in the door, which are illustrated in T.A. Strange, French Interiors, Furniture, Decoration, Woodwork & Allied Arts, London, 1950, p. 64.