A very fine pair of mahogany and mahogany veneered... Lot 238

A very fine pair of mahogany and mahogany veneered secretaires or billets doux. The plinth base features two protrusions extending from the pilastered uprights with three dark copper flutes and chased and gilded bronze asperges. They open on the front with two leaves in the lower section, a flap and a drawer in the waist, all decorated with reserves of chased and gilded bronze fillets. Blue turquoise marble top. This secretary is attributed to Jean-François Leleu (1729-3 September 1807) - Cabinetmaker - Paris. Master, 1764. One in the Louis XVI period, the other in the model. H. 107 cm - W. 105 cm - D. 22 cm These two fine pieces of furniture are reminiscent of the work of the famous Parisian cabinetmaker Jean-François Leleu. A great cabinetmaker of the Neo-classical period. Indeed, the use of mahogany, bronzes and rigorous forms are commonplace for this Faubourg Saint-Antoine resident. We know of a secretary with similar lines presented at Hôtel Drouot on December 21, 1937, no. 292 (fig. 1). We can also mention a small secretary of very similar dimensions, entirely inlaid and preserved at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris (fig. 2). In his early years, still under the influence of Oeben, Leleu's furniture was grandiose and sumptuous, but gradually became more sober. Leleu's work, which was very personal at the time, was simple and perfectly proportioned, with remarkable craftsmanship and choice of materials. Furniture in the Louis XV and Transition styles is rare. They are made of mahogany veneer and richly decorated with gilded bronze. Leleu produced a multitude of Louis XVI, neoclassical and "à la grecque" furniture, with robust, highly architectural forms. Bibliography: - Pierre Kjellberg, 18th-century French furniture, Les éditions de l'amateur.