A gilt-bronze-mounted bois citronnier, green stained sycamore, marquetry and parquetry table en chiffonnière stamped C. Topino Louis XV/XVI Transitional, circa 1770

of circular form with a pierced gilt-bronze gallery cast with diapers intersected with roundels enclosing a five branch rosette, above a vertically striped frieze containing a drawer, interposed by a gilt-bronze patera, on cabriole legs inlaid with bellflowers joined by a galleried circular shelf similarly inlaid to the top, terminating in gilt-bronze scrolled feet; marquetry restored, engraving enhanced

Partridge Fine Arts, London.

Some very minor rubbing to gilt-bronzes. Very attractive detail to marquetry, which has possibly been re-engraved. Very minor splits in the veneer to the top and shelf, commensurate with age, which do not detract from the piece. There is evidence of previous castors beneath the feet. One of the feet has less wear than the rest and may indicate an old restoration, but this does not detract from the piece. An attractive lot in 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:
Isabelle Néto, Catalogue des Collections Musée Cognacq-Jay, Paris, 2001, p. 76-77, no. 26 (inv. J 401).
Jean Nicolay, L'Art et La Manière des Maîtres Ébénistes Français au XVIIIe siècle, Paris,  2nd ed. 1982, p. 459, fig. G.
Geoffrey de Bellaigue, The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, 1974, vol. I, p. 341, n. 67.

The rarity of this elegant and timeless table lies in the marquetry decoration of tinted wood coloured yellow and green evoking the striped cloth in Ottoman fashion and also French straw marquetry. See Nicolay, op. cit., p. 459, fig.G, for a rectangular table by Topino  with the same striped parquetry and five branch rosette, reproduced here in fig.1.

This model of table of circular form with a shelf is also found in many forms and with various decoration, either plain veneered or in bois de bout marquetry by Topino. However, it is also found with this type of marquetry in  the repertoire of R.V.L.C., Roger Vandercruse, otherwise known as Lacroix. See for example a table of oval form with a shelf inlaid in an identical manner but stamped R.V.L.C. in the Musée Cognacq-Jay, illustrated by Néto, op. cit., p. 77, no. 26.

Finally it is worthwhile considering the secrétaire by R.V.L.C. in the Waddesdon collection, illustrated by de Bellaigue op. cit., p. 341, no. 67, with identical striped marquetry on the drawers and bellflowers on the stiles to that upon this table.

The rosettes on the  top and stretcher can be found on another table by Topino sold Sotheby Park Bernet, New York, 19th April 1969, lot 185 and on a table en chiffonière signed Topino, sold Sotheby's New York, 31st October 1981, lot 389.

Charles Topino (1742-1803), received master 1773:
Charles Topino was established at the rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine and among his clientele were members of the aristocracy and the marchands-ébénistes including Delorme and Tuart. His pieces were described as being 'à l'antique' which was the expression for taste devoted to neoclassical ideas in the late 18th century. His daybook covering the years between 1771 and 1779 has survived and documents, for example, the names of the bronziers who supplied him, amongst them Jean-Baptiste Dubuisson, maître-fondeur in 1765, who delivered the finest mounts in this period. It is known that the gilt-bronze mounts with which Topino embellished his furniture were cast by Viret, chased by Chamboin and Dubuisson and gilded by Bécard, Gérard and Vallet.