A brass and pewter inlaid turtleshell première-partie boulle marquetry bureau Mazarin in the manner of Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt Louis XIV, circa 1700

the rectangular top within a gilt-bronze lunette cast border above a central bowed drawer above a recessed cupboard flanked on either side by three bowed drawers raised on eight angled square tapering legs joined by X-form stretchers, the sides with raised panels, the whole with engraved brass on a scarlet turtleshell ground decorated with scrolls, flowers, foliate trails and geometric reserves; restorations to the marquetry; two feet later

Some very minor rubbing to the gilt-bronze border of top. There has been some rubbing to the engraving and there has possibly been some re-engraving in places. Re-ebonised inside central cupboard door. Attractive small size. In overall very good restored condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Alexandre Pradère, French Furniture Makers, Tours, 1989, p. 65, no.12.

The first bureau Mazarin is thought to have been delivered by the cabinet maker Pierre Gole (1620-1684) to the crown in 1669. It was not until the 19^th century, however, that the term Mazarin came into existence, named after Cardinal Mazarin, minister under the infancy of Louis XIV. However it is doubtful that the Cardinal ever commissioned any such piece, as his death in 1661 would have been too premature for the development of this type of bureau. The two-tone brass and pewter inlay against a red turtleshell ground would suggest that this model has reached a maturity of design commensurate with the very end of the 17^th century.

The marquetry on this boulle bureau mazarin is reminiscent of the work of Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt (c. 1639-1715), ébéniste ordinaire du roi.Oppenordt was born in the Netherlands in 1639 and established in Paris at the beginning of Louis XIV's reign where his career flourished. The present bureau mazarin relates very closely to his oeuvre; typical are the more rigid forms and the very geometric and stylised decoration. There is a bureau brisée almost certainly by him described in the inventory of Louis XIV's collections in 1718, with its pendant since altered  illustrated by Pradère op. cit., p. 65, fig. 12  (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York).
Due to the small size of this bureau, it has been suggested that such an opulent piece was possibly made for an affluent young person.