LOUIS XVI PERIOD FLAP DESK Stamped by Martin Ohneberg In satinwood veneer, amaranth and fruitwood fillets, with chased and partly gilded bronze ornamentation, white marble top, the front opening with a drawer at the top, a flap revealing a leather-covered writing desk, three compartments and six drawers around a central flap, two leaves at the bottom, the uprights with canted sides, stamped M.OHNEBERG and JME hallmark on the back twice. H. 144 cm (56 ¾ in.) l. 81 cm (32 in.) P. 41 cm (16 ¼ in.) Martin Ohneberg, master in 1773 Bibliography: P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe siècle, p. 670, fig. A (reproduced). Comparative bibliography: F. De Salverte, Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle, F. De Nobele, Paris, 1985, pl. LIII. A Louis XVI gilt-bronze mounted, satinwood and amaranth secretaire a abattant, stamped by Martin Ohneberg The elegant, resolutely architectural structure of our model, combining a vein of the finest satinwood with sober ormolu ornamentation, is perfectly in keeping with the work of cabinetmaker Martin Ohneberg, master in 1773. The bronze ornamentation used is typical of his ornamental repertoire, characterised by frames and baguettes in a variety of motifs, elegantly emphasising the lines of his furniture. Comparable drop-leaf secretaries that have come up for sale in recent years include : * One from the former Devaux collection (see F. De Salverte, Les Ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle, F. De Nobele, Paris, 1985, pl. LIII); * The piece sold at Sotheby's London, 29 March 2007, lot 80; * The secretary sold at Me Poulain-Le Fur, Paris, 2 December 1996, lot 203; * The copy sold at Versailles, 17 November 1991, lot 113. *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 with an intra-Community VAT number and a document proving delivery in the Member State. *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.