A gilt-bronze-mounted bois citronnier and amaranth secrétaire à abattant attributed to Claude-Charles Saunier Louis XVI, circa 1785

with a later three-quarter galleried white marble top with projecting rounded front corners above a frieze drawer above a fall-front opening to reveal a tooled leather writing surface, two long and four short drawers together with a deep drawer simulating two drawers, two pigeon holes and a shelf, the doors opening to reveal three long drawers flanked by brass fluted projecting columns on toupie feet, the whole with gilt-bronze panelling with a beaded border, gilt-bronze ribbed panels and foliate banding

In overall very good original condition. Some very minor tarnishing in places to gilt-bronze which is hardly noticeable. There is a very minor section of the gilt-bronze gallery left side which is slightly bent and broken and just needs resoldering. Good quality casting to the mounts. Some very minor scratches and chips which are hardly noticable. There is a vertical crack down each door as visible in the catalogue photograph which can be easily filled. Evidence of previous escutcheons on the cupboard doors and three internal long drawers. There is also a crack towards the base on the right side which can easily be filled and one of the gilt-bronze headers on the front left foot needs repinning.
"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:
Pierre Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIII siècle, Tours, 1998, pp. 774 and 775, figs. B & C.
Alexandre Pradère, French Furniture Makers, the Art of the Ebéniste from Louis XIV to the Revolution, Tours, 1989, p. 368, fig. 440.
This elegant piece exemplifies the hallmarks of the oeuvre of Saunier, who was known for his luxury neo-classical style furniture. The characteristics of his veneered pieces were `sobriety of their line and the beauty of their wood '. He used woods that were fashionable in an interesting way making good use of their contrasting colours. Various pieces in citronnier were supplied by Daguerre in 1786 -87 to the Garde-Meuble Royal which would appear to be identifiable as works by Saunier, such as two bonheurs-du jour in `bois jaune' also known as `noyer de Guadeloupe'. There is a secrétaire à abattant in bois jaune from this group which would appear to be the one delivered by Daguerre on 10th March 1787, for the Duc d'Harcourt, who was charged with the education of the Dauphin (sold as lot 41, in these Rooms, 12th November 1965, indistinctly signed although the initials C.C. are clear for C.C. Saunier and with the Versailles Château mark).

A related secrétaire also attributed to Saunier was sold from the Alberto Bruni Tedeschi Collection, in these Rooms, 21st March 2007, lot 148.

Claude-Charles Saunier (1735-1807), received master in 1752:
Saunier came from a family of furniture makers and shared the Faubourg Saint-Antoine based workshop with his father Jean-Charles but moved twice and finally settled in the rue Saint-Claude. Saunier started his production with Louis XV furniture but soon changed his taste in favour of the pure Louis XVI style. He became renowned for his impeccably executed furniture made of the finest timbers of contrasting woods with restrained gilt-bronze mounts.