An Ingenious Mechanical Table 'à la Bourgogne' In the manner of Oeben

Collection / Tables / Occasional

An Ingenious Mechanical Table 'à la Bourgogne' In the manner of Oeben

An Ingenious Mechanical Table 'à la Bourgogne' In the manner of Oeben

Dimensions: H: 87 cm (open) and 73 cm (closed), W: 70 cm, D: 48 cm

Enquire Add to Favourites Remove from Favourites

DESCRIPTION LITERATURE

An Ingenious Mechanical Table 'à la Bourgogne'
In the manner of Oeben

Constructed in kingwood, tulipwood, amaranth, and specimen woods, with finely cast gilt bronze mounts, the table inlaid with architectural marquetry and of undulating bombé shape, rising from foliate sabot-shod cabriole legs, adorned with pierced gilt bronze espagnolettes. The shaped apron, of serpentine form, decorated with marquetry of floral motifs and trophies of the arts and sciences. The masterful hinged marquetry platform top inlaid with a stylised naturalistic panorama with architectural capriccios and martial trophies. When opened, the front half shows two small hinged side panels revealing blue velvet-lined interiors and a central spring-loaded compartment released and raised by two push buttons, containing eight small drawers. The rear half features a raised and spring-loaded section, containing six drawers, four of which open with a push button under the top. Finally, there are two secret drawers hidden in a false bottom of this superstructure and an openwork pull-out writing slide of bois satiné.
French, circa 1880

This magnificent table is based on the celebrated table à la Bourgogne by Jean-Francois Oeben in Madame de Pompadour's bedroom in Versailles.

Although unsigned, the present table has all the hallmarks of the finest Parisian cabinetwork of the last quarter of the 19th century, and was likely produced by a leading workshop such as those of Paul Sormani or Alfred Beurdeley.

Another 18th century prototype was formerly part of the Wildenstein collection before joining the famous Akram Ojjeh collection, today on long-term loan to the Castello di Rivoli Museum in Turin. Related period examples by other cabinetmakers such as Dubois and RVLC can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Musée Nissim de Camondo.

Jean-François Oeben (1721-1763)

Oeben was a renowned French cabinetmaker in the 18th century, known for his exceptional skill in marquetry. He crafted luxurious furniture with intricate floral designs and organic sinuous lines. Appointed as ébéniste du roi (cabinetmaker to the king) in 1754, his work had a significant influence, setting the dominant style of the period. Oeben died in 1763, but his legacy lived on through his pupil, Jean-Henri Riesener, who continued the tradition of exquisite French furniture, even completing the world-famous Bureau de Roi which had been started by Oeben around 1760.

REF No. 10016

Recently viewed