THE PROPERTY OF A LADY

A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED BOIS SATINE, TULIPWOOD, SABICU AND HAREWOOD PARQUETRY CARD-TABLES

CIRCA 1780

Details

A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED BOIS SATINE, TULIPWOOD, SABICU AND HAREWOOD PARQUETRY CARD-TABLES
CIRCA 1780
Each with a rounded rectangular hinged top enclosing a green baize-lined playing surface with four counter wells, above a panelled frieze, with pull-out legs to the reverse and a frieze well, the corners headed by acanthus paterae, on square tapering legs with acanthus-cast sabots, each with Gatchina Palace Administration paper labels, ink and pencil inscriptions to the underside, one variously numbered 68, 609, G.609S, N.609 and 934, the other variously numbered 15504, G.606 and N.68, the foliate edge mount probably associated
30¼ in. (77 cm.) high; 32 in. (81 cm.) wide; 16 in. (40 cm.) deep (closed) 29¼ in. (75 cm.) high; 32 in. (81 cm.) square (open) (2)

Provenance

The Russian Imperial Collection, Gatchina Palace, St. Petersburg.

Brought to you by

Giles Forster

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Lot Essay

The Gatchina Palace near St. Petersburg was purchased in 1765 by the Empress Catherine II, Catherine the Great, and gifted, along with 1700 acres of surrounding parkland, to her lover Count Grigori Orlov (1754-1801), the property providing good hunting and a retreat for the couple. The grand classical design of Gatchina was originally conceived by Antonio Rinaldi (1709-96) and the contents largely assembled during this period. Following Orlov's death the palace passed to Catherine's son, the future Emperor Paul I (1754-1820) during which time it was altered and refurbished by Vincenzo Brenna (1745-1820) who embellished the interiors in the manner of Versailles and Chantilly. The palace remained a favoured residence of Russian Czars throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

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