Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis Beurdeley 1847-1919 A TRANSITION STYLE GILT BRONZE MOUNTED KINGWOOD, AMARANTH AND FRUITWOOD MARQUETRY BONHEUR DU JOUR Paris, circa 1880

the upper structure fitted with a sliding front door revealing four small drawers, the top with a secret spring release compartment, the lower structure fitted with a sliding green velvet lined writing surface also transforming to a graduating lectern, the frieze with a front and right hand side drawer, stamped twice A. BEURDELEY / A PARIS 

Overall in good condition and presentation. Please note that there is a visible chip of approx 1/4" long to the top lefthand side of the frieze drawer. One circular mount decorated to the top of each leg/support is detached from the cabinet but available in a bag.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Louis (1808-1885) and Alfred Beurdeley (1847-1919) specialized in reproducing the most magnificent articles from the Garde Meuble National. The firm exhibited and won awards at all of the major International Exhibitions during the second half of the 19th century. The quality and skill employed in production was of exceptional quality; their ormolu mounts with mercurial gilding and hand chasing were often difficult to distinguish from late 18th century examples, and were considered the finest in Paris. The firm was pioneered by Jean Beurdeley (1772-1853) and later managed by his son Louis-Auguste-Alfred, who ultimately imparted it to his son Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis in 1875. The firm, established at 32 Rue Louis-Le-Grand, also owned pavillion de Hanovre, where the firm was based while Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis added two additional workshops at 20 and 24 Rue Dautancourt by 1875. The company's workshops closed in 1895 and Beurdeley's stock was sold over a number of auctions conducted by the Galerie Georges Petit of Paris. Two auction catalogues of the collection were published in 1895 and sales were held between March 6-8 and May 27-28.