Mechanical table à la Bourgogne ca. 1760 René Dubois Mechanical tables of varying degrees of complexity were popular from the mid-eighteenth century and were made by several prominent ébénistes, in particular Jean François Oeben and Jean Henri Riesener. This table, known as a table à la Bourgogne, is stamped R. DUBOIS and dates to ca. 1760. The elegant curves of the legs and lower edge are emphasized by the delicate mounts. These, in turn, are echoed by the fine gold line delineating the lacquer panels while the gilded mounts encasing the feet add further refinement.The front half of the top opens to reveal a writing surface which is covered with the original brown leather. The rear section of this surface comes up mechanically when activated by a spring mechanism giving access to three tiers with a total of seven drawers.The corner mounts with bulrushes and foliage are found on pieces of furniture made by other makers. They were probably purchased from a Parisian bronze maker and coul