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Bureau du Roi by François Linke

$1,250,000List Price

About the Item

Inspired by the most famed Bureau du Roi (King’s desk) created for King Louis XV, this breathtaking interpretation of the royal secrétaire is one of only four known created by the celebrated ébéniste François Linke. While two are presumed to be held in private European collections, the third is known to have been made for Egypt’s King Fuad and can be found in Abdeen Palace in Cairo. Exhibiting the most amazing doré bronze paired with luxurious Cuban mahogany, this desk is arguably the pièce de résistance of Linke’s oeuvre. Every surface of this monumental desk is enveloped in brilliant figural gilt bronze work symbolizing love and war. The candelabra take the forms of Venus and Mars and flank this grand masterpiece, while other mythological symbols including Cupid’s arrows, Apollo’s laurel branches and Jupiter’s oak leaves further enforce the theme of sensuality and power. Even the rare Linke-signed Dual-faced clock that centers the desk is encircled by this regal doré bronze. The original Bureau du Roi also had this type of timepiece. To instill a bit of anxiety upon his supplicants, Louis XV set the outward facing clock several minutes fast, implying they were late to their meeting with the Monarch. It was a very difficult undertaking to create a two-sided clock, a fact that reinforces the likelihood that this desk was created for a patron of incredible status and importance. The desk’s beauty is rivaled only by its mechanical complexity. The interior is appointed not only with a multitude of drawers and compartments, but also with secret hiding places to keep one’s most confidential correspondence away from prying eyes. The bases of the gilt busts that border the central document compartments are actually buttons that give access to spring-loaded storage pockets. Another function that is found in the original desk and used quite often by Louis XV were the secret carry compartments. A press of concealed buttons on either side of the desk activate the release of drawers that allowed the King to pass important correspondence to others without any actual physical contact. Each carry compartment is also joined by a leather writing surface that allowed for quick responses to the King’s messages. Considered to be the most extraordinary piece of Royal furniture at Versailles, the Bureau du Roi has inspired the most important French ébénistes, including Carl Dreschler, Henri Dasson and Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener, to create their own versions that were acquired by prestigious patrons including Bavaria’s Ludwig II and Czar Nicholas II of Russia. Linke, however, appears to have been particularly captivated by the famous desk to have created four distinct renditions. In terms of its sheer beauty and complexity, this desk is the finest we have ever had the pleasure to offer. Signed "F. Linke." Measures: 74” wide x 37” deep x 71” high.

Dimensions:
Height: 71 in (180.34 cm)Width: 74 in (187.96 cm)Depth: 37 in (93.98 cm)
Period:
Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1910
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 30-33441stDibs: LU89113671772

Antique French marquetry, ormolu and jasperware Bureau du Roi by Beurdeley French, c. 1890 Height 151cm, width 190cm, depth 100cm The Bureau du Roi, also known as the secrétaire à cylindre, is among the most celebrated masterpieces of 18th century furniture design—an unparalleled example of French craftsmanship and regal opulence. Originally commissioned by King Louis XV in 1760, the project was entrusted to ébéniste du roi Jean-François Oeben (1721–1763). However, Oeben passed away before its completion and his successor, Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806), finalised the desk in 1769. During the 19th century, several master cabinetmakers sought to replicate this extraordinary creation, including the esteemed Emmanuel Alfred Beurdeley (1847–1919). The present example, produced circa 1890, was exhibited at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where it garnered admiration for its exceptional artistry. Following the exhibition, it was acquired by financier George Jay Gould I (1864–1923) and later photographed in the Lakewood, New Jersey residence of his wife, actress Edith Kingdon Gould (1864–1921). This magnificent desk is crowned with a decorative clock, draped in festoons and accompanied by two playful putti and a finely sculpted dog. Twin ormolu urns rest atop an openwork gallery, leading to additional flower-filled ormolu vases. Flanking the central roll-top panel are finely cast ormolu figures of Apollo and Calliope, each supporting a twin-light scrolling acanthus candelabrum. With a turn of a key, the roll-top slides open to reveal an exquisite arrangement of three pull-out shelves and three drawers, each front panel adorned with delicate ormolu banding and intricate floral trellis parquetry. A gilt-tooled leather writing surface unfolds, featuring a pop-up central panel that lifts to reveal a folding folio stand alongside three additional storage compartments. Below, a central kneehole drawer, embellished with an ormolu bow, is flanked by twin-divided drawers, all decorated with finely detailed floral marquetry. Every aspect of this Bureau du Roi is a testament to superior craftsmanship, featuring elaborate marquetry and parquetry designs. The upper section consists of three panels, with the tambour roll-top inlaid with intricate mythological motifs. Two side medallions bear Latin inscriptions drawn from Cesare Ripa’s Iconologia (1555–1622): NON. NISI. GRANDIA. CANTO. / IRRIDENS. CUSPIDE. FIGO. and BREVI. COMPLECTOR. SINGULA. CANO / PASTORUM. CARMINA. LUDO. These decorative elements, along with the marquetry on the roll-top and upper surfaces, celebrate the arts, literature, and architecture. The bombé sides of the desk are richly decorated with marquetry panels depicting symbols of both naval and terrestrial warfare, framed by elegant ormolu laurel swags. These ornamental details complement a series of exquisite blue and white Wedgwood Jasperware medallions...

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