A LOUIS XIV TORTOISESHELL, BRASS AND TIN MARQUETRY, EBONISED AND VARNISHED BRONZE BUREAU 'MAZARIN', CIRCA 1690 |

opening with seven drawers and a door, on eight scroll legs

This desk is closer to the production very often attributed to Parisian workshops of the late 17th century, as cabinetmakers Pierre Gole or Gaudron. The inspirations of the decoration are varied but recurring on the planches of Paul Androuet du Cerceau (see Dessins pour Tables, Bureaux et autres Ouvrages de Marqueterie, serie of engravings published by Nicolas I Langlois in Paris, circa 1675-1680) where we find a drawing with a composition of a very untied foliages with a set of more geometric lines. This kind of pattern will also be used successfully by André-Charles Boulle and Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt (for a similar decoration, see the bureau brisé sold in Paris, Sotheby's, 20 April 2012, lot 39). The eight scrolling feet are found on a bureau Mazarin, transformed into a bureau de pente in the 18th century, sold in Paris, Sotheby's, 9 April 2008, lot 72.