Inlaid Secretary, Louis XVI, Ca. 1780, Versailles? Attributed To Jean-françois Hache (1730–1796

A unique secretary desk, inlaid using the “bois de bout” technique (wood cut across the grain). The piece bears the VV mark burned into a cartouche in several places. The intertwined VV mark was used for inventorying furniture at the Palace of Versailles. The secretary desk offered here may have come from Versailles or, for example, the Wilanów Palace in Warsaw. The upper doors have a movable, roll-up design. It features thick, hand-cut veneers. Two drawers have lockable compartments; one contains an inkwell, and there is also a secret compartment for valuables behind one of the drawers. The piece is crafted in the style of the cabinetmaker Jean-François Hache of Grenoble, which is particularly evident in the marquetry technique using cross-cut branches.S The drawer fronts are likely later additions, as are their handles.



Oak wood veneered with exotic and fruit woods.



Marble top, cracked into two pieces.



Louis XVI / Classicism, ca. 1780. France? Attributed to Jean-François Hache (1730–1796).



Condition as shown in the photos; there are gaps in the inlay and the bottom lock is missing. The marble top is cracked in two.



Dimensions without the top: Height: 160, width: 99, depth: 40 cm.



Similar furniture by Jean-François Hache:

https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2010/important-french-furniture-sculptures-and-works-of-art-pf1011/lot.115.html

https://www.lotsearch.net/lot/louis-xvi-kommode-paris-meister-jean-francois-hache-um-1780-56686590?page=2



Jean-François Hache (10 January 1730 – 19 August 1796) came from a family of renowned cabinetmakers in Grenoble; he was the son of Pierre Hache and the grandson of Thomas Hache. In 1756, he spent four months in Paris. He may have made contact with Jean-François Oeben, Louis XV’s cabinetmaker, or at the very least had the opportunity to familiarise himself with this master’s work. Upon his return to Grenoble, he gradually took over from his father, and from 1760 onwards. He simplified his father’s mannerism and introduced large, modestly moulded cartouches. He created mosaic inlays. It was he who supplied furniture to most of the grand residences in the Dauphiné region and served as the personal cabinetmaker to Prince Louis Philippe d’Orléans, Governor of the Dauphiné. He created both luxury and everyday furniture. All his works are exceptionally well-crafted, highly varied, and above all, remarkably original. He used mainly wood from India as well as local species such as walnut, poplar, and fruit trees... but he excelled in inlays using decorative wood with knots or various grain patterns, in natural or stained colours, the use of which was extremely rare in his day.