A gilt-bronze-mounted tulipwood, amaranth, bois satiné and parquetry secrétaire à abattant stamped R.V.L.C. JME three times, otherwise known as Lacroix, Louis XV, circa 1760

of serpentine form with a shaped veined grey and white marble top, above a frieze drawer, the fall-front opening to reveal a leather lined writing surface, shelf, two pigeon holes and four serpentine short drawers flanking a recess above a pair of cupboard drawers enclosing a coffre-fort, on squat cabriole legs, the whole inlaid with chevrons within scrollwork cartouches, with scrolled and acanthus cast corner mounts

In overall good conserved condition. Some very minor chips to the rear edge of the marble top. Attractive detail to the casting and chasing of the mounts. There are some miniscule losses to the veneer. Some scattered hairline age cracks which can be left as they do not detract from the piece. The leather writing surface on the inside of the fall-front has wear.
"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:
Clarisse Roinet, Roger Vandercruse dit La Croix, 1727-1799, Paris, 2000, p. 12, 29, 41  and 46.
Jean Nicolay, L'Art et la Manière des Maîtres Ebénistes Français au XVIIIe Siècle, Paris, 1976, fig. H.

The distinctive lozenge parquetry on this sécretaire à abattant is typical of the oeuvre of RVLC, as are the mounts and can be seen on several examples of his work, illustrated by Roinet, op. cit. This motif derives from the cube parquetry`cubes sans fond' created by J.-F.Oeben and with the contrast of the veneers, RVLC achieved a lighter and more harmonious effect than the Oeben.  See for example, the frontispiece for a bas d'armoire, one of a pair, stamped by RVLC with identical lozenge parquetry. The same author op. cit. pp. 12-13, illustrates a bureau à cylindre with lozenge parquetry and knee mounts identical to those on the corners of the offered piece. Also see op. cit., p. 29, for a sécretaire stamped RVLC with identical parquetry contained within reserves of amaranth.

For a virtually identical sécretaire with a slight variation in the design of the amaranth cartouches, see lot 121, Christie's, London, 26th November 1970. Also see an unusual corner sécretaire with similar parquetry stamped RVLC sold Christie’s, London, 16^th December 1999,  lot 121.

Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix (1728-1799), received master in 1755. RVLC was the son of the ouvrier libre François Vandercruse, born into a family of exceptional craftsmen. He became related to all the important ébénistes of the time, as three of his sisters married two famous contemporaries: Oeben and Riesener. His daughter married Levasseur. RVLC executed various Royal commissions and worked for the marchand-mercier Gilles Joubert who exclusively supplied the French Court.