A Russian neoclassical tulipwood, mahogany and brass inlaid bureau à cylindre, early 19th century

the top with two drawers, the roll-top opening to reveal five drawers, four shelves, a small glazed cylinder and a writing slide veneered with boxwood and Brazilian rosewood, above two frieze drawers, on tapering legs

Antonacci Efrati Gallery, Rome

The illustration of the catalogue is accurate. There are the inevitable dents, marks and scratches due to age and use. There are some chips to the veneer, construction cracks to the cylinder, restorations to the brass elements. Some brass elements of the fluted legs are lifting and need to be refixed. Inside the cylinder: the blue fabric is later with some wears and tears. The little cylinder of the central part was probably not originally with a glass panel. A very impressive and elegant bureau à cylindre.
"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."

This desk is a perfect illustration of late-eighteenth century Russian furniture inspired by what was being produced in France at the time.  French furniture of this type was strongly influenced by the works of David Roentgen (1743–1807), who frequently visited Saint Petersburg between 1783 and 1791 and was commissioned by Empress Catherine II to furnish the Imperial palaces. The representation of a similar and privately owned desk, displaying vertical brass strips to the cylinder, is illustrated in Venäläisiä Huonekaluja, Russian Furniture, Lahti, 1998, no. 25, p. 123. A comparable bureau, featuring a roll top lifting to reveal two smaller glass cylinders, was sold in New York by Sotheby’s on June 9, 2014 (lot 253). Another, similar desk from the Ariane Dandois Collection was sold Sotheby’s (lot 304) in New York on October 25, 2007.