Bidspirit auction | French Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry & Parquetry

French Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry & Parquetry Bureau - Late 19th century French ormolu-mounted marquetry and parquetry bureau a cylindre; after a model by Jean-Henri Riesener (German, 1734-1806). The rectangular top with a three-quarter pierced brass gallery above a cylinder opening; featuring a marquetry panel with musical instrument motifs framed by ormolu mounts. Upon opening, a series of drawers and pigeon holes are revealed, as well as a green tooled leather writing surface. The apron with a central frieze drawer flanked along both sides by two smaller drawers with ornate foliate pulls. On four square legs terminating in gilt sabots. Provenance: The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. Height: 42 in x width: 44 in x depth: 25 in. Condition: The desk is structurally sound and stable. Separation to the joints throughout, especially along the front right drawer. Some warping to the wood; the left drawer beneath the desk surface moves with resistance. There are large horizontal cracks forming along the left and right side of the desk. There are areas throughout the extreme edges where the the mounted ormolu elements have become detached or are beginning to separate from the desk, especially along the lower right drawer and the length of each leg. There are scratches to the writing surface. There is a loss along the lower edge of the inlaid cartouche along the roll-top surface, measuring approximately 1 inch. Wear as expected with age, use, and material throughout. Some scuffs and scratches along the exterior, particulaly along the legs, high points, and feet.