The rectangular top with three-quarter gallery above a frieze drawer, the roll top mechanism released when writing slide is pulled, revealing fitted interior with two spring-loaded stepped drawers, the lower central drawer flanked by file cabinets and previously with springloaded action, now no longer functioning, the pulls consequentially added, the file boxes further opening to interior compartment, the middle drawer with ivorine plaque D. Sherratt & Co, 61 Bridge Street Row, Chester.
51 in. (129.5 cm.) high, 57¹⁄₄ in. (145.5 cm.) wide, 35¹⁄₂ in. (90 cm.) deep

Acquired from Arne Schlesch, New York.

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Lot Essay

Rollschreibtische, or bureaux à cylindre (roll top desks), were the most prestigious pieces of furniture made by David Roentgen in the 1780's. Evolved from the sinuous Klappschreibtisch with a shaped hinged flap, the earliest cylinder desk incorporates a roll top within a traditional rococo framework. Interestingly, some of these early examples appear as Tisch or Bureau à la Caunitz in Roentgen's invoices, named after the artistic Graf von Kaunitz, Austrian ambassador to Paris between 1750 and 1753, who has often been credited with inventing this mechanism. However, desks with a solid roll top only became more widely fashionable in Germany after circa 1770 and David Roentgen supplied his first example around 1772 to the Margrave of Baden for Schloss Mannheim, see R. Strattmann-Döhler, Mechanische Wunder Edles Holz, Roentgen-Möbel des 18. Jahrhunderts in Baden und Wüttemberg, Karlsruhe, 1998, pp. 98-101. Several closely related examples followed in the late Louis XV, Transitional and Louis XVI styles, which are either decorated with chinoiserie or floral marquetry, and after circa 1780, with figured mahogany with finely-chased ormolu mounts, such as the present lot. Roentgen accomplished his sensational conquest of the court of Empress Catherine the Great of Russia that reverberated all through Europe, by travelling to Saint Petersburg in 1783-1784 and offering the Empress a magnificent example, for which she paid him the princely sum of 25,000 roubles, 5,000 more than he had requested, see H. Huth, Roentgen Furniture, Abraham and David Roentgen, European Cabinet-makers, London and New York, 1974, pp. 20-21, fig. 63. He also supplied examples to Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia, to Louis XVI of France, and to his brother, the Comte de Provence, later Louis XVIII, whose wife also owned works by Roentgen, see note for lot 113 in this sale. The bureau sold to Louis XVI is probably the one now in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace (RCIN 293).
The present desk is a supreme example of Roentgen's confident, restrained manner that was so much appreciated by the most demanding patrons all over Europe. As on the lot 114 in this sale, the splendid mahogany veneers on this bureau are enhanced by finely chased ormolu mounts that were most likely supplied by the Paris in maître-doreur François Rémond. This desk also shares a number of similarities with the aforementioned royal bureaux. These include the small voluted arch in the kneehole that Roentgen used on the desk delivered for Friedrich Wilhelm II, see A. Stiegel, Präzision und Hingabe: Möbelkunst von Abraham und David Roentgen, Berlin, 2007, p. 99. In terms of overall composition, with its two large square drawers flanking a long narrow drawer, this bureau is arranged identically as the one delivered for the Garde Meuble in 1784 and now at Versailles, see Greber, op. cit., fig. 660. The Versailles bureau, along with the example in the Royal Collection, are both decorated with the same ormolu roundels above each leg that can be found on the present desk.

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Condition report

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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

Presents well overall, stable and ready to place. As stated, the lower file drawer pulls and rosettes later. The mille reille mounts apparently original. Generally with scattered nicks, faint marks, some scuffs and scratches, as to be expected. With scattered lifting, cracking, some small losses and patches to the veneer throughout, the largest patch repair is a triangular 2x2 inch to center of upper back panel. With some areas of restoration and associated infill to the veneer, including the cylindrical lid to the desk. The mounts with rubbing, oxidation and some slight tarnish. Some of the bows missing section of ribbon. Some areas of the brass inlay off, and other areas lifting slightly and somewhat bent. The wooden and mille reilles gallery with scattered restored breaks, some small losses, some patches to the veneer particularly on the central section and with associated infilled restoration. With some small losses to the molding on the proper left terminal. The top proper left section of the mille reilles with a restored break, only visible on close inspection. The top with age and construction cracks as to be expected, in some areas the veneer is now separating and with some associated infill. A 6 in x 3 in area where the polish and the wood is slightly darker and the varnish is slightly raised and cracking probably as a result of heat damage, not readily visible. The top section may have been relaid at some point and minimally shifted as suggested by some of the primary timber visible on the back, only visible upon close hand inspection. The frieze drawer slightly warped, as result the locking mechanism no longer catches but is functional. The middle roll top section with scattered small age cracks to the central panel throughout, some small areas of infilled restoration and some small areas of glue residue. The interior re-fitted in the central section with additional vertical slats, and likely with earlier horizontal shelves as indicated by cut-outs on either side of central section. With some small patch repairs to the curvilinear sides where roll top slides. The proper left lower corner of the roll top with a 2x1 inch patch to the veneer and subsequent penny sized loss. The brass inlay of the interior is lifting on the proper right pilaster. The backs and sides with scattered age cracks, as to be expected, the reverse with some areas where the veneer is uneven. The inset leather writing surface with some scattered staining and with some cracking, but apparently original. The lower tier likewise with some scattered small age and construction cracks. With some triangular patch repairs to the lower right and left side, the largest a 2 in. triangular patch repair. The proper-right file drawer re-veneered to center circular roundel. The proper right interior drawers lacking part of the lowest pull. The knee hole with some scattered age cracks and losses to the interior, not readily visible. The proper right side of the knee hole on the reverse with a vertical crack to the veneer and now is slightly dislodging, probably a result of improper handling in the past. With some small patches to the veneer on the reverse. With some white residue to the back corners on the reverse. Much of the brass inlay appears to be original, with the exception of the some areas of the brass banding on the reverse with later wooden replacements. Some of the legs slightly askew but overall stable. The middle drawer with ivorine plaque to interior. With one key.

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