Oratory, polychrome wood prayer desk, Motte-Picquet family, Brittany, 18th century

Rare polychrome and gilded wooden prayer-table oratory, adorned in the upper part with small columns framing a painting depicting Christ praying before an angel; in the lower part, the coat of arms of the family of Admiral de la Motte-Picquet*. The family's provenance: the Château de Coutances in Taden, Brittany (Côtes d'Armor), from the 18th century.

This oratory is in good overall condition and is of exceptional quality.
On the lower door, it features the coat of arms of the de la Motte-Picquet family, made famous by the Admiral of the same name (azure coat of arms, with three gold chevrons, accompanied by three silver spearheads), as well as the Coat of Arms of Brittany (ermines).
This oratory comes from the family estate in the commune of Taden (Côtes d'Armor), where Marguerite-Marie Picquet de la Motte, the Admiral's aunt, owned property (handwritten label on the back of the pediment explaining the provenance by the heirs). Biographical details below.
Please note: some accidents and missing polychromy in places, cracks and age-related wear on the painting, age-related wear, please take a close look at the photos. Other detailed photos (back) are available for download below.
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 * Toussaint-Guillaume Picquet de La Motte, known as La Motte-Picquet
born November 1, 1720 in Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine) and died June 10, 1791 in Brest (Finistère), was an 18th-century French naval officer. During a career spanning more than fifty years, under the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI, he took part in 34 campaigns, notably during the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence. Respected and feared by his adversaries, he did not hesitate to engage in combat with far inferior forces. A Commander (1780), then Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Louis (1784), he died at the beginning of the French Revolution. ** Marguerite Picquet de La Motte (1681-1757)
Surgeon, ophthalmologist, daughter of the chief clerk of the Parliament of Brittany. Married to Count Claude Toussaint Marot de La Garaye, both charitable husbands. She was the aunt of Admiral Toussaint-Guillaume Picquet de La Motte.
They lived in the lap of luxury at the Château de la Garaye (16th century, listed as a historic monument), in the parish of Taden, two kilometers north of Dinan. In 1710, the sudden death of the husband of Madame de Pontbriand, the Count's sister, devastated them. Abandoning social life, they decided to serve the poor for the love of God. The château was transformed into a hospital to welcome, feed, and care for the poor. They sold their possessions to finance their work and set to work with their servants. The de la Motte-Picquet family owned another château (Coutances Manor) in the commune of Taden.

Dimensions

Total height 200 cm / cabinet 94 cm
Width of upper part 85 cm / maximum upper part 92 cm cabinet 86 cm
Depth with step 74 cm

Reference: 180 143
All photos are available at:
www.antiques-delaval.com

Ref: XHT1HPSMQC