A Late Louis XV Ormolu Mounted Marquetry Document Box In the Manner of Oeben, Circa 1760

The hinged rectangular lid inlaid in tulipwood, amaranth and a floral spray within a cartouche. The sides with handles and on short fluted and acanthus feet.

The style of the marquetry inlay relates to the work of Jean–Francois Oeben, (d.1763), such as on a mechanical table with writing–slide with similar cartouche to the top which is illustrated in R. Stratmann – Dohler, Jean–Francois Oeben, Paris, 2002 p. 100.

Jean-François Oeben,  (1715- 1763)

An influential French cabinetmaker noted for his outstanding marquetry and for his ingenious mechanical devices Oeben came to France at an unknown date and in 1751 entered the workshop of Charles-Joseph Boulle, a son of the famous cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle, in the Louvre. He was soon patronised by the king’s mistress Mme de Pompadour and in 1754 was appointed ébéniste du roi (“royal cabinetmaker”).

Much of his work was done for the royal household. His royal warrant gave him the privilege of a workshop in the Gobelins factory, although he later moved to the Arsenal. His masterpiece is the bureau du roi, a desk for the king that he began in 1760 and was working on at the time of his death; it was finished by his younger associate, Jean-Henri Riesener, who also married his widow.

Dimensions

Price on application

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance