Description
A classic French Louis XV-style free-standing writing table, or bureau plat, of impressive and authentic period proportions. Ca 1860.
Of very good colour and quality throughout.
Well embellished with excellent quality asymmetrical gilt-bronze mounts.
Double sided, with working and dummy drawers. In lovely original condition, retaining its tooled tan suede top, and ready-to-use.
Often made for the English market, French furniture was popular with decorators working for the extremely wealthy in the 19th century – a visit to Waddesdon Manor will confirm this.
An almost identical antique writing table was sold at Christies, London, @ £9900.00, lot 407, 5-6 May 2011.
Nb. Kingwood was the most expensive wood in use for general furniture-making in the 17th century, and at this time was known as Prince’s wood. Kingwood is dense and extremely hard and can be brought to a spectacular finish. However, because of its density it cannot easily be worked with hand tools. Kingwood is only available in small sizes as it comes from a smallish tree, Dalbergia caerensis, in Brazil. Other woods from the same genus include rosewood, African blackwood & rosewood.
