A kingwood, tulipwood, sycamore and parquetry meuble d'entre deux stamped twice E. Levasseur JME Louis XV, circa 1760, possibly by Simon or Jean-François Oeben,

with a moulded brèche d'alep marble top the underside with FN° No 53 in black ink, above a pair of doors opening to reveal a shelf, with serpentine sides above a shaped apron on squat cabriole legs terminating in gilt-bronze scrolled feet, with later gilt-bronze mounts throughout

Château de Fontainebleau
Sold lot 249, Sotheby's, New York, 20th November 1993.

Old very minor marks and chips to the marble top. Minor restorations to the veneer generally, especially the top of the right side, but these have been well executed and are hardly noticeable. The apron, rear legs and part of the front right leg has been reveneered. In overall very good conserved 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."

Etienne Levasseur received Master 1766. His signature on a piece of furniture such as this, which is not in his usual Louis XVI style, would seem to indicate that this piece was restored by him rather than one of his production.

This piece of furniture was ordered and delivered for the use of the King in Fontainebleau. The order was number 265, on the 16th October 1786 and mentioned in the bill of the Marchand-Mercier Dominique Daguerre, "Pour le café du Roy-Daguerre une commode à deux vantaux fermant à clé de trois pieds de long d'ancienne marqueterie représentant des cubes l'un sur l'autre avec dessus de marbre brèche d'Alep 120" (Bibliothèque Nationale of France, Ms Fr. 7817 fol.35).

The underside of the marble top shows the inventory number F beneath a Royal Crown and No. 53, for the Château de Fontainebleau and the piece is described in the inventory of the garde-robe des seigneurs taken in 1787:

No 53: `un bas d'armoire de marqueterie plaquée en mosaique de bois rose, violette sur fond gris ouvrant à deux vantaux, une tablette de dedans, entrée, agrafe et sabots de bronze doré, dessus de marbre brèche d'Alep de 3 pieds de large 18 de profondeur'.