Antique French ormolu mounted mahogany console / desserte
$39,500.00
A very fine French ormolu-mounted mahogany, Amaranth and Marquetry marble top console Desserte - in the manner of Jean-Henri Riesener.
The D-shaped green Cippolino marble top above a breakfront frieze centered with a drawer over a cupboard door decorated with fruit-wood marquetry inlays depicting still-life with fruit and trophies, and flanked by a pair of shelves, raised on toupie feet.
Late 19th / early 20th century.
Dimensions
Height: 49.5" (125.7 cm)
Width: 57.5" (146 cm)
Depth: 22" (55.8 cm)
Late 19th / early 20th century.
Jean Henri Riesener
Born in Germany, Riesener began his career at the service of the monarchy with the roll-top cylinder bureau for Louis XV, which was placed in his private cabinet. Commissioned in 1760 for Oeben, his father-in-law and instructor, the desk was exceptional in its innovativeness, the refinement of the marquetry, the quality of the bronzework and, above all, the ingenuity of its locking mechanism which allowed the whole desk to be locked with a single turn of a key, and opened by the simple press of a button! Completed in 1769, it was later modified during the Revolution by its creator, who was obliged to remove the royal symbols. The bureau was a hugely prestigious piece of work and firmly established Riesener’s reputation.
Commissions from the Court came flooding in thereafter, and for more than ten years Riesener was the principal craftsman for royal residences. His exorbitant prices, however, alienated part of his clientele and he lost some of his custom to his confrere, Beneman. Marie Antoinette nevertheless remained a loyal customer.
