Rare and impressive center bureau-plat in ebony and ebonized wood, France, Regency period

Rare and impressive center bureau-plat in ebony and ebonized wood, France, Regency period
attributed to Noël Gérard (before 1690-1736) richly decorated with gilt bronze trimmings and applications such as leafy wreaths, plant motifs and female heads placed at the corners. façade with four drawers arranged on two columns separated in the center by a drawer: the opposite side repeats the same score but with fake drawers; top covered in brown leather with gold-embossed frame; slightly arched legs fitted with clog-shaped shoes, cm. 78x230x98.
Noel GERARD is part of the group that was inspired by the French taste at the beginning of the XVIII century.André-Charles Boulle was the first to deeply characterize the production of fine furniture of the Grand Siècle with the exceptional ability to inlay tortoiseshell with copper or brass. This is the line that poses such as Noël Gérard, François Lieutaud and Pierre Moulin. Gérard was not only a fine cabinet maker but also a merchant with a very prosperous and thriving business. He actually owned one of the most growing productions of luxury furniture and furnishings in Paris. Its insignia was the “Magasin Généra”, installed in 1720 in the former private palace of Everhard Jabach (banker, director of the Oriental Indian Company and famous collector). His wealthy clientele consisted of great aristocrats, foreign ambassadors and princes, such as the Count of Clermont and the King of Poland Stanislas Leszczynski.