including parcel-gilt and painted decoration, the upper section concealing a curved drawer, the fall-front opening to reveal a leather-lined writing surface, pigeon holes and six short drawers, flanking a central niche supported by two neo-classical figures in drapery, with two further drawers and a slide enclosing secret drawers, the cupboard doors enclosing three long drawers

Count Jan Nepomucen Potocki (1761-1815) or his son Count Alfred Wojciech Potocki (1785-1862) for the castle of Łańcut, Galicia, South Poland;
Possibly removed from Łańcut, circa 1944 and thence by descent until sold, Christies, Fine Furniture, Objects of Art, Tapestries and Carpets, 4th December 1986, lot 183, where the piece was sold with a label for Łańcut, which is missing.

Illustrated The World of Interiors, Saleroom Diary, November 1986, p.239
Illustrated Architectural Digest, Colonna and Listri, Empire, passionnément, April 1989, pp36-43

Very decorative. The exterior has a dry appearence and may well have been repolished. There are old seperations from age to the shaped top and some lifting to veneers. The herm on the left side lacks arms and there is a bruise to the foliate and brass inlay just above this figure. The fall has typical age cracks which could be easily filled. The sides with similar cracks and there is scuffing and chipping to the gilding on the paw feet. The interior is in good order on this very unusual piece.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The extraordinary palace of Łańcut is an imposing edifice with three hundred and eight rooms and has always been something of a depositary for the unusual and the precious. The collections there were augmented by the very best objects in the 18th century, its gilded rooms were filled with important French furniture released onto the market as a result of the revolution. Marbles were sourced from Rome and Count Stanislas Lubormirski and his wife Princess Isabelle Czartoryska in collaboration with the architect Vincenzo Brenna undertook a radical programme of embellishment of the castle - acquiring treasures from across Europe.
The Potocki family continued to collect throughout the 19th century, buying in London, Paris and Vienna, acquiring fashionable pieces for the private and state rooms at Łańcut. The collection was dispersed in 1944 when many hundreds of objects were removed by the family.