France, Louis XVI period, c. 1770/80, oak structure, with rosewood and mahogany veneer, elaborate grid-like and ornamental marquetry of various partly coloured precious woods, polished finish, two doors at the front, one drawer and one fall-front writing surface, interior with 6 drawers and 2 cartoniers, marble top, gilt bronze mounts, the front support with stamp of cabinet-maker J. STUMPFF (Jean Chrysostome Stumpff, master from 1766) 140 x 38 x 96 cm, in beautiful professionally restored condition. (MIN) 

This type of “trompe-l’oeil” marquetry, featuring a combination of cube and rhomb patterns, can be found on chests of drawers, writing desks and secretary desks by Jean Chrysostome Stumpff. This three-dimensional pattern, most likely invented by Stumpff himself, was so successful that other renowned cabinet-makers, including Roger Vandercruse, Pierre Roussel and Jean George Schlichtig, also applied it to their furniture. Two almost identical secretary desks are illustrated in Pierre Kjellberg's reference work "Le Mobilier francais du XVIII siecle" (1998 edition) as works by Jean Christostome Stumpff (p. 827) and Jean Georges Schlichtig (p. 791) respectively.

Lit.:
 - Comte de Salverte, “Les Ebenistes due XVIIIe siecle” Paris 1985, p. 313 - Andre Theunissen, “Meubles et sieges du XIIIe siecle” Paris 1929, p. 169 - Pierre Kjellberg, “Le mobilier francais du XVIIIe siecle” Paris 1998, pp. 824–828

The present item is subject to conservation legislation (ASB).