LARGE TRANSITION-PERIOD "SECRET" BOX BY JEAN-FRANÇOIS... Lot 14

LARGE TRANSITION-PERIOD "SECRET" BOX BY JEAN-FRANÇOIS HACHE This walnut box is assembled with hidden dovetails and overlapping (from the front to the sides), and although not stamped, it belongs to a series of four similar boxes, some of which are stamped HACHE FILS À GRENOBLE (in Le génie des Hache, Pierre et Françoise Rouge, Faton 2005, pp. 152 and 153). The lid has a compartment on its reverse and is held open by a single compass on the left, as the right side is removable and reveals a secret drawer with three compartments (inkwell, powder and pen tray), when after opening, an additional quarter turn of the key is given. The wide iron plate features a lateral rod that unlocks the box wall, a system hitherto unheard of. Handles, protective lugs, oval lock entrance, iron plate and key. H_20.3 cm W_38.7 cm D_31.4 cm Jean-François HACHE (Grenoble 1730-1796), Grenoble circa 1765-1771 This set will be published in Volume 2 of the book "Le génie des Hache", P. et F. Rouge, Faton 2005, forthcoming from Éditions Faton. Expert: Françoise ROUGE, expert for the Paris Court of Appeal, 06 03 93 23 76