A mahogany and acajou moucheté bureau plat stamped twice J-H. Riesener JME, Louis XVI, circa 1780

the gilt-bronze-banded top inset with tooled green leather writing surface, the shaped and panelled frieze with one central and two side drawers with laurel wreath handles, and panelled with simulated drawers to the reverse, the sides mounted with a stylised patera on four squared tapering fluted supports, capped with acanthus mouldings and terminating gilt-bronze foliate cast feet, stamped front left corner J.H. Riesener JME

In overall very good conserved condition. Colour overall is less orange slightly darker overall and much more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. The gilt-bronze mounts are slightly dirty and would benefit from a light to a clean according to taste. The gilding on the gilt-bronze border around the top is rubbed. There some very minor scattered chips to the veneer generally which are hardly noticeable. The left side when facing is more faded than the rest and would benefit from a repolish according to taste. The quality of the gilt-bronze mounts and the veneer is very good. There are some very minor hairline age cracks in the back which are hardly noticeable which can be left. There are some shrinkage cracks to the leather top. The leather top is attractively worn with some water staining. Old very minor restorations to the tops of some of the legs which have been well executed and hardly noticeable. Gilt-bronze collar on top of front right leg is a little loose and can easily be fixed. The gilt-bronze border around the top is later and 19th century.
"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."

Jean-Henri Riesener received maître in 1768

This impressive bureau plat was acquired by Loel and Gloria Guinness for their extraordinary Parisian apartment at 18 avenue Matignon, which was decorated by the celebrated interior designer Georges Geffroy in the mid-1950s.

Riesener supplied the Royal Household with furniture between 1774 and 1784 and the present lot embodies the qualities for which he was widely acclaimed, namely the exceptional standard of his craftsmanship and the beautifully refined and restrained lines of his designs.

Made in circa 1780, this bureau plat is an example of ‘le goût Anglais’ which swept through French cabinet making of the period, influencing makers such as Weisweiler, Canabas, Pierre Garnier and of course, Riesener. Here we see it manifested in his employment of acajou moucheté as the principal timber - or 'plum-pudding' mahogany to use the English term - which, together with the understated arrangement of gilt-bronze mounts and simple mouldings used outline the architectural qualities of the design, all serve to create a beautifully understated piece of great quality.

A related example by Riesener can be found in the collection of the Musée Nissim de Camondo (illustrated Sylvie Legrand-Rossi, Le Mobilier du Musée Nissim de Camondo, Dijon, 2012, p. 114).