A Louis XV ormolu-mounted Chinese red and gilt lacquer and vernis Martin secrétaire à abattant. Attributed to Francois Rubestuck, retailed by Jean-Louis Grandjean, circa 1766-1770. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2010

Decorated overall with pagodas and figures in an exotic lakeside landscape, the brèche d'Alep marble top with moulded border above two short frieze drawers and a fall-front enclosing a fitted tulipwood interior, with six drawers, above a pair of doors enclosing a plain interior, the angles headed by foliate clasps, on short cabriole legs with sabots, stamped twice 'J. GRANDJEAN' and 'JME', 57½ in. (147 cm.) high; 43 in. (105 cm.) wide; 16 in. (40.5 cm.) deep - Estimate £25,000 - £40,000 Price Realized £43,250

Notes: François Rübestuck, maître in 1766.
Jean-Louis Grandjean, maître in 1766.

This secrétaire en laque européen à fond rouge closely relates to a small group of furniture decorated en vernis in imitation of Oriental lacquer by François Rübestuck (1722-1785). The Grandjean stamp probably relates to his capacity as a marchand rather than as a maker. Similar secrétaires stamped by Rübestuck include a closely related red lacquer example sold Sotheby's Monaco, 24 June 2000, lot 135, and black lacquer variants (see P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIé Siècle, Paris, 1998, p. 746). Also compare a commode decorated à fond jonquille et vert stamped by Grandjean, probably also in his capacity as a dealer, at Waddesdon Manor (G. de Bellaigue, The James A. Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor: Furniture and Gilt Bronzes, London, 1974, I, pp. 221-223).

Christie's. A View from the Spanish Steps - The Collection of Maria Angiolillo 15 July 2010 London, King Street www.christies.com