A Louis XVI sycamore, fruitwood and amaranth marquetry table à écrire by Adrien Delorme circa 1780

the top inlaid with utensils and the frieze with Vitruvian scrolls with a drawer on the right and a writing slide at the front, on square tapering legs; stamped 'DELORME' to the underside, top distressed

Newbattle Abbey, Midlothian, Inventory, 1930, p.8, in the Drawing Room; 'A Louis Seize oblong table of various woods inlaid utensils, foliage etc brass bordered & fitted drawer & slide on square tapering legs 21" x 15" stamped Delarme [sic]'

The top with marks and scratches consistent with age and use, as well as one area of staining.one area of staining in need of attention, and one loss. One dentil missing on the back right leg. Minor losses to the veneer and old restorations. There are traces of old woodworm that appears to be no longer active, some of whose holes have later been filled in. The writing surface with later velvet lining and some minor lifting to its front veneer; small losses to the veneer of the side drawer. The legs with over painted grooves. The mount to the front left leg slightly lose.
"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."

Related literature:

S. Legrand-Rossi, Le mobilier du Musée Nissim de Camondo, Paris, 2012

The closest comparable piece to this delicate table à écrire is one stamped by Léonard Boudin and now in the Musée Camondo, Paris, and featuring a nearly identical top marquetry panel (inv. no. CAM 346, illustrated in Legrand-Rossi, op. cit., cat. 32, pp. 104-5).

Adrien Delorme, received maître in 1748 and active until 1783, specialized in Chinese lacquer panels and in a distinctive, stylized, fluid type of marquetry. Like Boudin, however, he also acted as a marchand, marketing pieces supplied by his colleagues, on which he would then impress his own stamp.

The ‘naif’ marquetry on this ‘meuble volant’ is in fact closely relatable to the work of Charles Topino (maître in 1773) who often provided his fellow cabinet-makers with marquetry panels. An identical frieze is found on a bonheur du jour attributed to Topino and sold Sotheby's London, 2 December 1983, lot 58, and on a table stamped Pioniez sold Christie's London, 9 December 2010, lot 300.

Interestingly, identical frieze and overall designs are found on at least two tables with 'naif' marquetry by Roger Vandercruse, known as Lacroix, sold Christie's New York, 19 October 2007, lot 262, and Christie's London, 17 June 2009, lot 20, respectively. 

One comparable table also bearing the stamp of Delorme was sold Jean-Paul Couturier et Raymond de Nicolay, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 17 June 1994 (158,000FF).