LOUIS XVI PERIOD FLAP DESK Stamped by Nicolas Petit and Etienne Levasseur Rosewood, amaranth, stained wood and sycamore veneer, chased and gilded bronze ornamentation, Aleppo breccia marble top, front decorated with latticework of quatrefoils set in a diamond pattern background, opening with a drawer at the top, a flap revealing an amaranth and satinwood veneered interior with three compartments, two cardboard boxes and four drawers, two leaves at the bottom, canted uprights, stamped N. PETIT on the front right-hand upright, stamped E.LEVASSEUR and the Jury's hallmark.PETIT on the right front jamb, stamped E.LEVASSEUR and JME hallmark on the left crosspiece. H. 145 cm (57 in.) l. 91.5 cm (36 in.) P. 44,5 cm (17 ½ in.) Nicolas Petit, master in 1761 Etienne Levasseur, received master in 1766 Bibliography: P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe siècle, Les Editions de l'Amateur, Paris, p. 697, fig. C (reproduced). Comparative bibliography: F. Quéré, Les Roussel Une Dynastie d'ébénistes au XVIIIe siècle, Editions Faton, Dijon, 2012, p. 190 (mentioned). A Louis XVI gilt-bronze mounted, tulipwood, amaranth, satinwood and sycamore secretaire a abattant, stamped by Nicolas Petit and by Etienne Levasseur The elegant marquetry of quatrefoils set in a latticework pattern, which decorates the front and sides of our secretary, is not exclusive to Nicolas Petit. It is found on secretaries stamped by RVLC (see Christie's New York sale, 16 September 2020, lot 90) and by Pierre Roussel (see P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe siècle, Les Éditions de l'Amateur, Paris, p. 776), which suggests that a merchant was probably behind the creation of this model. The presence of the stamp of Étienne Levasseur suggests that he worked on our secretary as a restorer. *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.