LOUIS XVI PERIOD INKWELL In the taste of Philippe Claude Montigny In ebony, with chased and gilt bronze ornamentation, the top fitted with two pen trays, two compartments, an ink reservoir and two cups, the front decorated with a frieze of post motifs. H. 9 cm (3 ½ in.) l. 44 cm (17 ¼ in.) P. 28 cm (11 in.) A Louis XVI gilt-bronze mounted and ebony inkstand, in the taste of Philippe Claude Montigny This very refined inkstand, the body decorated with a frieze of gilt-bronze posts, is a rare example of a small object designed in the Greek style, corresponding to the first phase of Neoclassicism in France. It was from 1754-1756 that the first pieces of furniture were designed in this style, notably the large flat ebony desk made for Ange Laurent Lalive de Jully, probably by Joseph Baumhauer and Philippe Caffieri, now in the Musée Condé in Chantilly (see A. Forray-Carlier, Le Mobilier du Château de Chantilly, Éditions Faton, Dijon, 2010, p. 56-57). The preserve of the most erudite and sophisticated collectors, this daring style spread rapidly, and in 1763, Baron de Grimm wrote in Paris: "everything is now done in the Greek style" (see S. Eriksen, Early Neo-classicism in France, London, 1979, p. 264). An inkwell similar to our example, stamped by Montigny, sold at Christie's London on 6 July 2006, lot 36. *Information for buyers: The auction is exclusive of VAT. VAT at the reduced rate of 5.5% applies to the auction. This VAT is recoverable for French professionals. It is refundable for a buyer from outside the EU on presentation of proof of export from the EU or for a professional buyer providing proof of an intra-Community VAT number and a document proving delivery in the Member State. For a buyer leaving the EU, a CITES re-export certificate may be required, at the expense of the future buyer. Restrictions may apply depending on the country of destination. *Information to the buyers : The hammer price and premium will be VAT excluded. 5.5% VAT will be added to the hammer price and premium. Upon request, this VAT can be refunded to the purchaser on presentation of written proof of exportation outside EU, or to the EU purchaser who will submit his intracommunity VAT number and a proof of shipment to an EU country. For an exit from the EU, a CITES re-export certificate will be necessary, at the buyer's expense. Restrictions can apply depending on the country of destination.