Mainz 18th century, type ‘à deux corps’, curved and bombé hardwood frame with flaring frieze, exquisitely walnut veneered, marquetried with additional precious woods such as maplewood, amaranth and partly dyed precious woods in the form of hunting scenes and allegories of music, 3 drawers in so-called ‘sans traverse’ execution and marquetried central floral medallion, the latter surrounded by square-shaped marquetry and moulded border, writing compartment with floral lattice pattern and fall-front with a decor of flowers and birds, the inside with inner drawers and a large central drawer – the latter with a small lectern, the cabinet with 2 analogue doors and compartments, length 225 x 146 x 67 cm, well-kept condition.

A ‘museum-quality’ piece.

In his work, “Schreibmöbel 1700 – 1850”, Wolfgang Eller mentions the present cabinet – which is depicted in his book – and provides a typological parallel to the French Transition (i.e., transition from Louis XV to Louis XVI style); from the ‘dynamic’ Mainz writing cabinets, so-called cantourge, a more balanced, elegant piece of furniture develops, which displays the typical characteristics of the Louis XVI era. Stylistically, small elements of the Rococo epoch remain – the multi-curved frieze, the cornices, carvings and fittings, as well as the feet maintain the Rococo style.

ASB

Lit.:
Wolfgang L. Eller, Schreibmöbel 1700 – 1850 in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz, p. 124 ff., Michael Imhof Verlag, Petersberg 2006
F. Quéré, Les Roussel, Une dynastie d‘ébénistes au XVIIIème siècle, p. 154 ff., Editions Faton, Dijon 2012