Lot 41 | Österreich | TABLE À TRANSORMATION FROM THE ESTATE OF ARCHDUKE LUDWIG VICTOR OF AUSTRIA

TABLE À TRANSORMATION FROM THE ESTATE OF ARCHDUKE LUDWIG VICTOR OF AUSTRIA.

Österreich.
Date: 1780/90.
Technique: Yew and rosewood. Brass fittings.
Description: High rectangular corpus with rounded corners and curved frame on slightly curved, high
legs. The four-part top decorated with rhombus marquetry is hinged. In the centre a
rectangular, adjustable desk lid, flanked by two long oval lids. Another narrow elongated
lid above. Various utensil compartments. Upper part of the table removable as a tray with
small feet.
Measurement: 75x64x36cm/ Hight of the tray top 25cm.
Mark: On the inside of the centre compartment of the upper part, oval adhesive label: "Der Dienstkämmerer Sr K.u.K. Highness D.D.Herr Erzh. Ludwig Victor".

Provenance:
- Archduke Ludwig Victor of Austria.
- Dorotheum auction, Vienna, complete furnishings of Schloss Kleßheim, estate of Archduke Ludwig Victor, 30 May - 3 June 1921, lot 383.
- By inheritance Austrian private collection.

Literature:
- Dorotheum Auction Catalogue, Vienna: Complete Furnishings, Schloss Kleßheim Estate of Archduke Ludwig Victor, 30 May - 3 June 2021, Cat. No. 316, Lot 383. https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15553#0092.
- Hojer, Gerhard & Ottomeyer, Hans (eds.): Die Möbel der Residenz München, vol. 1. Die Französischen Möbel des 18. Jahrunderts, Munich/Ney York 1995. A comparable piece of furniture, described as a travel desk, by the ebenist Pierre Roussel described and illustrated p.145ff.

The special feature of this fine piece of furniture is its versatility. The top of the little table can be easily removed and used as a footed tray or reading desk, for example in bed. Just like the popular sewing tables, various utensil compartments provide ample storage space.

This wonderfully crafted piece of furniture originally came from the estate of Archduke Ludwig Victor of Austria (1842-1919), as the brand stamp attests, and was auctioned off after his death at a massive auction in 1921 as part of the inventory of Schloss Kleßheim near Salzburg. The youngest brother of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, who was extremely fond of art, had built up an impressive collection there and with great connoisseurship had brought together not only paintings but also precious porcelains, silver and pieces of furniture.