Details
The sliding cartouche shaped top inlaid with a scrolling strapwork border centered by a flowering basket, above a frieze inlaid with scrolling and flowering branches, opening to reveal a gilt-tooled red leather inset writing surface fitted with a lid and compartment, the angle mounts formed as ram's heads, raised on tapering cabriole legs ending inscrolled sabots front, with spring-loaded sliding top and side drawers
28 in. (71 cm.) high, 3112 in. (80 cm.) wide, 1834 in. (73 cm.) deep
Special notice
Please note this lot will be moved to Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services (CFASS in Red Hook, Brooklyn) at 5pm on the last day of the sale. Lots may not be collected during the day of their move to Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services. Please consult the Lot Collection Notice for collection information. This sheet is available from the Bidder Registration staff, Purchaser Payments or the Packing Desk and will be sent with your invoice.
Brought to you by

Lot Essay

The present lot is modeled after the luxurious and multifunctional mechanical tables of the 18th century. One such maker of these tables was Jean-François Oeben's, whose marquetry furniture incorporating mechanical devices was highly successful and gained him much acclaim. Sometimes known as ‘table à deux fins, often used as table à écrire and table de toilette, tables of the present model demonstrated makers such as Oeben’s ingenious talent for creating innovative mechanical marquetry furniture during the late 1750s. The most celebrated and complex known example of this type of table is the one delivered to Madame de Pompadour and now in the Metropolitan Museum (Linsky bequest, 1982.60.61).

Related Articles

Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.

More from
The Collector: English & European Furniture, Ceramics, Silver & Works of Art
Place your bid Condition report

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

I confirm that I have read this Important Notice regarding Condition Reports and agree to its terms. View Condition Report