with four drawers, one with foliates and the second as a writing drawer with four inside drawers, on fluted legs ; with a rectangular rouge griotte marble top

Maurice Segoura Gallery, Paris

Literature references:
- P. Kjellberg, Le mobilier français du XVIIIe siècle, dictionnaire des ébénistes et menuisiers, Paris, 1989, p. 57
- A. Pradère, Les ébénistes français de Louis XIV à la Révolution, Paris, 1989, pp. 404-411

The illustration of the catalogue is accurate. There are the inevitable minor dents, marks and scratches due to age and use. The marble top: the marble top has been probably replaced. There are some minor chips to the edges. The ormolu elements: there are some traces of wear. The gilt-bronze elements have been cleaned. One brass element of one foot needs to be refixed. The veneer: very nice Cuba mahogany. There are some minute cracks to both lateral panels which have been well restored. The green velvet of the inside has been replaced and is in good overall condition. Very elegant and refined neoclassical secrétaire en commode.
"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."

Guillaume Beneman, cabinetmaker master status in 1785
Victor-Jean-Gabriel Chavignau, cabinetmaker master status in 1787

Of German origin, Guillaume Beneman worked as a non-guild member on rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine. He received orders from the Royal Garde-Meuble, even before obtaining his master's in 1785. Rapidly displacing Jean-Henri Riesener as ordinary cabinet-maker to the Crown furniture, he produced luxurious house fittings for the ceremonial apartments starting with the flat desk for Louis XVI's library at Fontainebleau (Musée du Louvre, inv. OA 5329), the commode executed for Madame Thierry de Ville d'Avray's bedroom in Paris (Musée du Louvre, inv. OA 5504). Other productions of more modest proportions and 🌊simpler lines, like the commode delivered in 1787 for the Dauphin's bedroom at Versailles (Versailles Château and Trianon, inv. V 5370), demonstrate his expertise.

Mahogany remained the wood essence that he used most frequently, allowing contrasts with the applied bronzes. He then collaborated with renowned bronze artisans such as Thomire, Ravrio, Forestier, and Feuchère. The important frieze of acanthus foliage and grained vine-tendrils present in the upper part of our commode-secretary is a model similar to one he used for two of the commodes that he transformed in 1786 under Jean Hauré's direction for the Queen's bedroom at Château of Fontainebleau (inv. OA 5301 and 5302). The rodding with waterleaves outlining the drawers are frequent in his work. The secretary and the commode from the Hermitage Palace in St. Petersburg, sold by Sotheby's, London on 17 April 1964, lots 117 and 118, also prove this usage.
Beneman collaborated for this secrétaire en commode with Victor-Jean-Gabriel Chavignau, a cabinetmaker who worked rue de Charonne and who🦩 always used high qualiꦑty of mahogany veneers.