LOUIS XV MARQUETRY ENCOIGNURE

The small corner cabinet (encoignure) is of heart shape with an in-curving front. It has an intricately framed Rococo panel of end-cut wood (bois-de-bout) marquetry on the top as well as the front. The door has a foliate C-scroll gilt bronze keyhole mount and opens on a cabinet with two shelves. The cabinet rests on a shaped plinth.

French, circa 1750

Height: 30 1/2 inches (77.5 cm) Width: 17 inches (43 cm) Depth: 11 inches (28 cm)

Thee encoignure is unusual in its diminutive scale, heart-shaped format, and its marquetry top in place of the conventional marble. These features indicate that it was a special commission for an intimate apartment, or the landing on a small stairway.

The piece may well have been created by Bernard II Van Risen Burgh (master before 1730-1765/6) who often did not sign his furniture, and when he did, used only his initials B.V.R.B. It has been theorized that this was in deference to the marchands-merciers for whom he worked who wished to maintain his anonymity. He is thought to have originated bois de bout floral marquetry. The treatment of the floral sprays enclosed in an elaborate cartouche on this encoignure is repeated on the tops of numerous tables signed or attributed to Van Risen Burgh (several examples are published by F.J.B. Watson in The Wrightsman Collection, New York, 1966, vols. I and II). Although unique, this corner cabinet bears a resemblance to the low cabinet stamped B.V.R.B. which belonged to Machault d'Arnouville (sold, Paris, Drouot-Georges V, April 15, 1989). It also relates to the lower section of the desk/bookcase delivered by Lazare Duvaux for Louis XV at the Trianon in 1755 which is also attributed to Bernard II Van Risen Burgh.