A mahogany bibliothèque by Jean-Henri Riesener, Louis XVI, circa 1780

with a moulded white marble top above rounded corners, the frieze with a band of lunettes carved with foliage applied with projecting brackets mounted with two roundels above lunettes enclosing foliage above guttae, with a pair of glazed doors flanked by stop-fluting above a panel of scrolling foliage and flowers, the gilt-bronze handles projecting from apanel of scrolling foliage and flowers flanked by later gilt-bronze bows opening to reveal five oak shelves, with similarly carved panelled sides on bracket feet, the back inscribed in crayon Mill Av George V, stamped J.-H. Riesener JME once, the scrolling foliate panels possibly later carved

In overall very good conserved condition. The colour of the wood is slightly darker and the gilt-bronze mounts are less greenish and more golden and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. The gilt-metal band beneath the cornice is possibly a later addition and towards the left corner there is a piece of this band that will need repinning. One of the discs towards the left edge on the frieze is replaced and some of the others vary in size and are possibly replaced. There is a vertical and horizontal constrction crack on the frieze on both the top right and left sides which can easily be filled. There is some variation in the colour of the mahogany especially towards the feet. There is evidence of an alteration to the lockplate. The marble top is slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. The marble top has old minor marks, chips and scratches commensurate with age and normal usage and some old minor stains and water marks.The handles are later as are the glass panels.
"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:
John Whitehead, Mobilier et Arts Décoratifs en france au XVIIIème Siècle, Paris, 1992, pp. 138-9.

Several examples of this type of architectural two door armoire/bibliothèques by Riesener are recorded with variants in the gilt-bronze mounts and carving. They all are of the same restrained outline with the choicest mahogany veneers and impeccably executed although they all have panelled as opposed to glass doors:
-a comparable armoire with very similar frieze mounts and fluting on the apron was sold  Sotheby's Monaco, Collection of Monsieur et Madame Delplace, 15th June 1996, lot 77 (FF2,100,000) and then again Christie's Monaco, Collection Lagerfeld, 28th April  2000, lot 35 (FF3, 557, 500).

-a closely related example was sold Christie's Monaco, 20th June 1994, lot 223, probably  coming from the collection of Baron de Baulny (1744-1812), subsequently sold from the Lagerfield Collection, Christie's Monaco, 28th April 2000, lot 340, then offered for sale Christie's London, 8th December 2011, lot 46.

-an armoire formerly in the Collection de Richemond and later in the Wildenstein collection and offered for sale Christie's, London, the Wildenstein Collection, 15th December 2005,  lot 205.

-an armoire opened up with a grille attributed to Riesener sold in Paris, Hôtel Drouot,  27th November 2000, lot 87.

Finally, it is worthwhile considering a bibliothèque conceived in a similar vein with a single glazed door, formerly in the Jean Seligmann collection and exhibited Trésors des collections privées, Sotheby's, Paris, 6th-15th March 1998, offered for sale  Christie's, Paris, 22nd June 2004, lot 213. 

Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806), received Master 1767, ébéniste du Roi 1774. German-born Riesener has long been regarded as the greatest cabinet-maker of the Louis XVI period. As ébéniste du Roi, he was permitted to produce everything in his own workshop including the mounts. The quality of both his cabinet-making and metalwork is superb and was probably unsurpassed at the time. He became the favourite furniture maker of Marie-Antoinette and almost singlehandedly furnished her rooms in Fontainebleau.