Pair of corner blocks stamped G.Dester from the Château de Dampierre

Pair of mahogany and mahogany veneered corner cabinets opening to a drawer and two shelves.
The fluted uprights rest on four legs, three of which are topped. The corner has a white Carrara marble top that forms a right angle, unlike the shape of the cabinet, which offers a wider angle.
The chased and gilded bronze ornamentation features a gallery of hearts on the first shelf, and an applied gallery on the drawer, framed by a frieze of pearls. Elegant alternating fluting and water leaves.

Stamped by G.DESTER
Godefroy Dester received master in 1774

Louis XVI period - original marble supplied.

Dimensions :
Height : 83 cm
Width : 70 cm
Depth : 56 cm

These corner pieces come from the Château de Dampierre, owned by the de Luynes family for 400 years.
They were commissioned by Louis-Joseph-Charles-Amable d'Albert de Luynes (1748-1807), 6th Duke of Luynes.

Dester set up his workshop on rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, where he remained until 1790. Despite the archives, we have not been able to find much information on this cabinetmaker, but the large number of pieces signed by him proves that his firm was very fashionable and that he possessed real talent.
Godefroy Dester's work was extremely refined: Louis XV commodes decorated with Chinese lacquer, Bonheurs-du jour in Transition style marquetry, Louis XVI furniture with very personal touches, most often in mahogany inlaid with flowers. All very refined. As ornaments, he mainly used fluting or fine bronze baguettes.
FORMER M. AND M. KAHN-SRIBER COLLECTION

Collectors and patrons of the arts, Marguerite and Robert Kahn-Sriber succeeded in assembling one of the most important collections of Impressionist paintings of the second half of the 20th century, centered around Van Gogh's emblematic Nuit Etoilée and Renoir's Le Grand nu, both now in the Musée d'Orsay (inv. RF 1975 19 and RF 1975 18).

These masterpieces were matched by works illustrating the genius and creativity of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, including porcelain and silverware, mounted crystal showcases, sculptures and classical furniture, such as the elegant Louis XVI Japanese lacquer games table that the couple donated to the Château de Versailles in 1964 (inv. Vmb14584).

This fabulous Parisian collection was housed at 20 avenue Foch. In the 60's, the decoration was entrusted to Stéphane Boudin (1888-1967) of the Jansen firm, then highly prized both in Paris and internationally, as demonstrated by Boudin's prestigious participation in the renovation of the White House in 1961-1963 at the request of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

For this elegant Parisian décor, typical of the post-war period, Jansen was able to combine master paintings and antique decorative arts. Jansen also supplied a table (lot 251), a much-appreciated model for the dining room, featuring the spectacular Boulle Day and Night clock.

Other works from this collection, once again demonstrating the refined taste of this enlightened couple, will feature in the forthcoming Paris sales: Rare Books and Manuscripts, The Exceptional sale and Jewels.

Ref: 9U4O01MPJ3