Nicolas Petit (French, 1732-1791) Louis XVI Gilt-Bronze-Mounted Mahogany Bureau Plat

ca. 1780, the rectangular top with an inset leather surface, turreted corners and leather-inset slides at both sides, above a conforming case fitted with a central drawer flanked to one side by a deep drawer and to the other side by two drawers, stamped: "N. Petit Jm." on the case front beneath the deep drawer, verso with faux drawers, raised on stop-fluted tapering circular legs ending in brass caps.
h. 30-1/2", w. 64", d. 30-1/2"

Provenance: Sotheby's, New York , "Property from the Estate of Brooke Astor", September 24-25, 2012, lot 512, page 401. Shown in situ pages 400-401, the library, "Holly Hill"; Private collection, Mobile, Alabama.

In overall very good condition. The surface has been polished and restored. There are a few small veneer repairs of very good quality. The case is tight and sturdy with no movement detected at the juncture of the legs and top. The inset tooled leather top exhibits losses at the corners, lifting at a couple corners and a number of stains, mars and abrasions. Center drawer lock appears to be replaced. There is no key. The deep drawer once had additional interior fittings.