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an ornately decorated desk with two drawers and two drawersa black and gold desk with drawers and drawersan ornately decorated desk with two drawers and two drawersan ornate desk with two drawers and a marble top
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ALEXANDRE LANDRE - SEMUR-EN-AUXOIS

47 - Bernard I VANRISAMBURGH (c. 1638–1738), attributed to
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Estimate €20,000 - €30,000
Sale commission
Description
Bernard I VANRISAMBURGH (c. 1638–1738), attributed to Flat-topped desk, in Boulle marquetry of engraved brass set against a background of brown tortoiseshell, with five drawers with walnut inlays, the central one recessed. It is decorated with a motif known as ‘à la Berain’, comprising grotesques, pages, musicians and dancers within a rich interlacing of lambrequins, foliage scrolls and animals, such as monkeys, dogs, herons and mythical creatures. It rests on four arched legs. Chiselled and gilded bronze fittings: moulded lock case, frames, keyholes and crow’s-foot feet. Attributed to Bernard I Vanrisamburgh (c. 1638–1738). Master before 1722. Paris. Regency period. H_77.5 cm W_109 cm D_43.5 cm (Routine restoration). Comparable and related works - ‘Château de MENTMORE Collection’ auction. Sotheby’s London, 18–20 May 1977, lot 125, p. 104. - Christie’s London auction. 6 December 2007. Lot 409 This piece of furniture is of very fine workmanship, both in its oak and softwood frame, its drawers with walnut inlays, and its decorative elements, which are very similar to those found on several writing desks and pieces of furniture featuring metal marquetry, all of which have been identified as having been produced by Bernard I Vanrisamburgh’s workshop, such as: the desk from the former collection of MENTMORE Castle, Sotheby’s London, 18–20 May 1977, lot 125, p. 104 (fig. 1); the one from the former collection of the Dukes of La Roche Guyon; and the desk from the former Jones collection, held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, no. 1014-1882. These characteristics of craftsmanship and decoration support the attribution to the workshops of Bernard I Vanrasamburgh. Bernard I Vanrisamburgh created new forms in which the projections, curves and counter-curves are skilfully decorated with copper and tortoiseshell marquetry, which blossom into subtle motifs of figures, animals, birds, chimeras and foliage. This resulted in a large number of prestigious commissions, including the writing desks created for the Duchess of Lesdiguières (in the Queen of England’s collection) and for Elector Max Emmanuel of Bavaria (Malibu, Getty Museum, and Paris, Louvre Museum), as well as the furniture of the President of Machault, listed as a French heritage site (formerly part of the Count de La Panouse’s collection). Expert: Stéphane PEPE - Expert: PEPE Stephane
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About the sale Collection of the Château de Villebourgeon & others
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Auction time 10/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
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