Lot 1093. Desk with lacquer pannels, Louis XV, signed J.F. DUBUT (Jean François Dubut, died 1778), guild stamp, Paris, ca. 1755-60. Estimate CHF 100 000 / 180 000 (€ 92 590 / 166 670). Photo: Koller.

Purpleheart in veneer, and inlaid with reserves and decorated with panels lacquered in the"goût chinois"; idealized park landscape on a black ground, depicting human figures as hunters and exotic animals. Top lined with green, used leather, edged in brass. 6 curved legs. Front with central drawer, the sides each with 1 door opening up into 2 drawers. Exquisite matte and polished gilt bronze mounts and sabots. Free-standing. With label: SENT TO LADY MILLS BY SIR CHARLES MILLS CAMELFOLD HOUSE, 20TH JANUARY 1875. Restorations and supplements. 165.5x51x76 cm. 

Provenance: - formerly part of the Hillingdon Collection, England.
- Christie's London, 29 June 1972 (Lot No. 93).
- Aveline, Paris.
- from a very important private collection, Geneva.

With an expert opinion by Cabinet Etienne/Molinier, Paris 2017.

The writing desk on offer was probably a special order by a "marchand merciers", and is depicted in the 45-year Jubilee Catalogue of the Galerie Aveline, Paris 2000; Lot No. 79.

A comparable Bureau-Plat with lacquered panels and paper-case by J.F. Dubut is depicted in: P. Kjellberg, Le mobilier français du XVIIIe siècle, Paris 1989; p. 282.

Sir C. Mills (1792-1872) started his famous Hillingdon Collection in the 19th century. This collection was considered the most important private collection of French furniture from the periods of Louis XV and Louis XVI. See also: J. Parker, Decorative Art from the Samuel H. Kress Collection, Aylesbury 1964; pp. 116-119.

References: P. Kjellberg, Le mobilier français du XVIIIe siècle, Paris 1989; pp. 283-284 (biographical data). J. Nicolay, L'art et la manière des maîtres ébénistes français au XVIIIe siècle, Paris 1976; I, p. 95 (biographical data).

Koller. Furniture, Sculptures, Porcelain & Silver - Thursday 30 March 2017 10.00 AM