Rare Small Screen With Four Leaves

Rare small screen with four leaves in rosewood called "Chinese style". The lower part has an interlaced geometric openwork decoration. The uprights and crosspieces are discreetly molded. Each sheet offers an independently height adjustable fabric trimmed panel with a pull button on each. The four leaves are foldable thanks to brass hinges. Red silk upholstery patterned with vases adorned with flowers and arabesques on one side and plain green pleated silk on the other. Attributed to RVLC Louis XVI Period Usual restorations, modern trim One sheet: H.: 97 x W. 52.5 cm During our research on this charming screen, we discovered that a few similar works circulated in completely prestigious interiors and that a real confidential production has been developed. In 1785, Simon Philippe Poirier delivered to Madame du Barry a screen which corresponded perfectly to the description of the work of our study (cf. Wildenstein in the Gazette des Beaux-Arts, 1862, vol. II, p. 365- 377). When Louis XV died, Madame du Barry took it with her to her château in Louveciennes. The Hôtel de la Marine exhibits a screen identical to that of our study. On the other hand, another identical screen is illustrated in the book by Guillaume anneau and P. Devinoy "The light furniture in France" and was in the former collection of Serge Roche. A similar screen was thus inventoried at the Château de Chanteloup , property of the Duke of Choiseul, and a Mecca of Culture and Art. This screen then went on sale at Piasa on March 26, 1999. In addition, a screen also similar to ours and attributed to Jean-François Leleu was sold under lot 78 on June 15, 1985. Another reproduced in Pierre Verlet's book Les Meubles français du XVIIIe siècle is stamped Canabas and is kept at the Musée des Arts décoratifs in Lyon.Finally, a screen close to ours which is part of the old Fabius collection was sold at Sotheby's on October 26, 2011 as lot 12. Furthermore, in addition to the comparison with the production of small screens, it is important to underline the original character of the latter. enters the category of small flying furniture, very luxurious, arranged in delicate and intimate apartments. this piece of furniture, also referring to Anglo-Chinese taste, demonstrates the fascination of 18th century men for the Orient. Notice the fineness of the lines of the lower part. This decor, both complex in its design, but simple in its unique use of rosewood, makes it an avant-garde piece of furniture in its aesthetics. The cutting details of the uprights and crosspieces, the discreet moldings make this piece of furniture a "large piece of furniture". The ingenuity of its design is also noteworthy: each leaf moves in both directions, the four panels offer a trim that rises according to your desires. The wood therefore highlights the beauty of the fabric used as a trim like a painting. The cabinetmaker to whom we attribute this work is Roger Vandercruse (known as La Croix, known as RVLC). He was received as a master cabinetmaker in 1755. He quickly produced furniture in the Chinese style, having understood that the court, of which he was one of the main suppliers under Louis XV, was fond of exoticism. We can thus mention the drop-leaf secretary sold at Christie's on July 10, 2014 (lot 54), which illustrates this taste. He is one of the great names in French cabinetmaking of that time.