A turtleshell, brass, ebonised première-partie Boulle marquetry table de changeur Louis XIV, late 17th century

the hinged top inlaid with a Berainesque panel centred by a figure playing the violin, flanked by stylised floral reserves opening to reveal a leather-lined writing surface with two hinged compartments within a stylised border, above similarly inlaid sides and back to form a centrepiece, above two hinged folding front legs and four further hexagonal brass inlaid tapering legs joined by stretchers

Partridge Fine Arts, London

Some very minor surface wear. In overall very good restored condition. Very unusual and rare model.
"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:
Guillaume Janneau, Le Meuble d' ébénisterie,  Paris, 1993, p. 16, plate 15.

The form of this table de changeur derives from the fact that the table would have been used by a banker or money changer. This type of utilitarian furniture is extremely rare as few examples of table de changeur survive, especially ones in boulle marquetry. Another related although less ornate example is illustrated by Janneau, op. cit., pp. 16-17, no. 15.

The decoration on this piece is inspired by the engravings of Jean Berain (1637-1711), the celebrated French architect and ornamental designer who was one of the innovators of the Louis XIV style. He was the son of a gunsmith and started publishing designs for the decoration of small arms in 1659, followed by locks and from 1670, he was employed by the French Crown as an engraver and was appointed in 1674 architecte dessinateur de la Chambre et du Cabinet du roi, with the duty of providing the designs for royal festivities and celebrations. In 1690, he became chief designer with appartments in the Louvre alongside his relation André-Charles Boulle and his designs for furniture, boiseries, and chimney-pieces were engraved and published and were characterised by grotesques defined in a whimsical style with canopies held aloft by fantastical term figures and classical gods, chinamen and monkeys in attendance. His influence on Louis XIV style furniture cannot be underestimated and a collection of his engraved designs were published in 1711 in Paris, Oeuvre de Jean Bérain, recueillies par les soins du sieur Thuret.