Fine Russian Empire Writing Table Desk After Antique Heinrich Gambs Bureau-Jardinière

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Description

Magnificent Russian Empire style gilt bronze mounted marquetry and malachite inlaid solid and flame mahogany bureau-jardinière after an important model … Read more Magnificent Russian Empire style gilt bronze mounted marquetry and malachite inlaid solid and flame mahogany bureau-jardinière after an important model by the Heinrich Gambs (1765–1831)

A rare and extraordinary example in it's own right, the scarcity increases dramatically when you consider it's illegal to take Russian antiques out of Russia.. making one-of-a-kind pieces like this a truly spectacular find in the West!

Superb exhibition quality, modeled after a late 18th century bureau-jardinière by the Heinrich Gambs workshop (Saint Petersburg, Russia) now on display in the Pavlosk Palace Museum.

Created during the golden age of Russian furniture making, showcasing truly distinctive Russian design, with rich luxurious materials, exceptionally executed in a highly refined, grand, and sophisticated Neoclassical influenced Imperial Empire style, having a rectangular quatrefoil clover shaped cabinet topped writing table form, the superstructure surmounted with a partial pierced brass raised gallery, featuring a most intricate marquetry plaque front-panel, opening to reveal fitted interior with various compartments, small drawers flanking a column niche. Over a pull-out writing surface extension slide, flanked by polished malachite veneered top. Broad frieze fitted with a single large drawer, veneered in rich highly figured flame mahogany, with ormolu running ornamentation and rosette medallion mounted squared drop finals, raised on sculptural Egyptian revival figural mounted supports, with X form cross-stretcher joined turned and square legs. Accompanied by two working keys.

Heinrich Gambs served as a journeyman in the workshop of David Roentgen with whom he collaborated and traveled to Russia in 1790. Gambs opened a furniture workshop in Saint Petersburg, where he made important works, including mechanical pieces that resembled the work of his well-known teacher, attracting among his select clientele empress Maria Feodorovna and emperor Alexander I, foreign kings and queens, and of course the Pavlosk Palace Museum

- PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION:

Property from a Private Collection, Palm Beach, Florida

Acquired from the above owner through the highly reputable auction house Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas. June 5 2025, Furniture & Decorative Arts Signature Auction catalog #8205, lot#61101

- DIMENSIONS:

47" Tall, x 55" Wide x 24.5" Deep
(119.4 x 139.7 x 62.2 cm)

- CONDITION:

Overall great antique / vintage condition. Excellent presentation.

Strong, sturdy, stable, structurally sound. Evidence of past restoration work. Wear commensurate with age, use, handling. Delivered cleaned, waxed, with hand polished patina, ready for immediate use and generational enjoyment! See less