*“SECRÉTAIRE A ABATTANT” WITH PAINTED PANELS, Louis XVI, stamped N. PETIT (Nicolas Petit, maitre 1761), guild stamp, Paris circa 1775/80. Tulipwood, amaranth and partly green-dyed precious woods in veneer, the panels Chinese 18th century, with fine figural landscapes on light blue ground. The fall-front writing surface lined inside with green leather, set between drawer and compartment with double door. The fitted interior with large central compartment flanked by drawers under 3 large compartments. With exceptionally fine matte and polished gilt bronze mounts and shaped "Levanto" top. 114x41.5x(open101)x147 cm. Provenance: - Laire Dubreuil auction, Galerie G. Petit Paris am 4.6.1921 (lot no. 76). - Galerie Fleuries auction, Cannes 31.1.1962 (lot no. 44). - from a very important European private collection Publications: - G. Henriot, Les beaux meubles des collections privées, Paris 1928; plate IX, ill. 2. - Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle français, in: Collection Connaissances des Arts, Paris 1963; p. 209 (ill.5). - P. Lemonnier, Nicolas Petit, un ébéniste prospère, in: L'Estampille / L'Objet d'Art 1, 1990; p. 44f.