Bonhams is pleased to announce the upcoming sale of Fine Continental Furniture and Decorative Arts on December 7, 2010. The auction will begin at 1 p.m. at the Bonhams gallery located at 580 Madison Avenue at 56th Street. 

Karl Green, Director, Furniture and Decorative Arts, said, "Bonhams is excited to present a diverse group of fresh-to-market 18th and 19th century works in December. As demonstrated by recent sales, items from these periods are highly sought after by collectors."

Within the 19th Century offering, the firm is especially pleased to feature an impressive Louis XV style giltbronze mounted marquetry inlaid and bisque porcelain inset bureau plat by Maison Krieger, modeled after the bureau du roi in Versailles (est. $300,000-400,000). Created by Jean-Francois Oeben and Jean-Henri Riesener, the bureau du roi, is perhaps one of the most famous pieces of furniture in the world, and is certainly among the most luxurious creations of the eighteenth century. Louis XV ordered this cylinder-top desk from Jean-Francois Oeben, who completed its design before his death in 1763, and was finished by Jean-Henri Riesener, for a final cost of 62,000 livres, one of the highest prices ever paid for a piece of furniture at that time.

Highlights from a private collector in California, include: a fine Louis XIV style gilt bronze, pewter, and tortoiseshell mounted ebonized premiere partie meuble d'appui by Paul Sormani, after a model by Andre Charles Boulle, fourth quarter 19th century (est. 90,000-120,000); a fine Louis XV style giltbronze mounted marquetry commode by Zwiener Jansen Successeur, late 19th century (est. $75,000-100,000); and a magnificent Louis XV style giltbronze and Japanese lacquer mounted bureau plat by Paul Sormani, last quarter 19th century (est. $125,000-150,000).

Adding to this interesting sale are: a pair of large Meissen floral encrusted potpourri vases, covers and two stands, late 19th century (est. $25,000-35,000); a pair of French gilt and silvered bronze figures cast after a model by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, third quarter 19th century ($15,000-20,000); and a pair of Venetian polychrome and gilt blackamoors on pedestals, 19th century ($15,000-25,000).

Other items of note include: a Louis XV giltbronze mounted lacquer commode by Jacques Dubois, mid-18th century (est. $50,000-75,000); a superb Louis XIV style gilt-bronze mounted cut brass and tortoiseshell ebonized commode mazarine by Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener, after a model by Andre-Charles Boulle, fourth quarter 19th century (est. $40,000-60,000); and a Louis XV style gilt bronze mantel clock, late 19th century ($25,000-35,000).

Also from a private collector are 12 lots of Flora Danica porcelain, featuring: a set of seventeen Royal Copenhagen porcelain plates (est. $10,000-18,000); two Royal Copenhagen porcelain round covered vegetable dishes (est. $4,000-7,000); and eleven Royal Copenhagen porcelain coffee cups and saucers (est. $3,000-5,000).