A FRENCH 18TH CENTURY LOUIS QUINZE ORMOLU MOUNTED TULIPWOOD, KINGWOOD AND SATINE PARQUETRY SECRÉTAIRE ABATTANT BY CHARLES CHEVALLIER MAÎTRE CWC 1732 the shaped Breche d'Alep marble top above a fall front, opening to reveal a gilt tooled leather writing surface, and an interior fitted with three compartments and six drawers including one with an inkwell, above a central drawer fitted with sliding surfaces hiding compartments and a central adjustable lectern, a pair of doors opening to a single shelf on cabriole feet with foliate cast sabots. Stamped under the marble, Chevallier and JME. 133.5cm high; 114cm wide; 41cm deep (52.5 high; 44.5 wide; 16 deep) Charles Chevallier (1703-1771) established his workshop on Rue du Bac, Paris, and his production consists essentially of fine marquetry furniture, a secrétaire bearing his stamp can be seen in the collection of the Musée Carnavalet in Paris. On his death, the celebrated ébeniste Matthieu Criaerd took over his business. Literature: Anne Foray-Carlier, Le Mobilier du Musée Carnavalet, editions faton 2000 Pierre Kjellberg, Mobillier Français du XVIIIe Siècle, les editions des l'amateurs