Mid-Century Cylinder Desk, Parisian Work, Louis XV Period

This elegant Parisian cabinetmaking piece dates from the late Louis XV period, around 1770, and is marked by the Transitional Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. Built on an oak and conifer frame, it is veneered all over with rosewood, framed with green-stained fillets "with Greek connections," and gilt bronze ornamentation, mostly influenced by the Neoclassical style.

Resting on arched legs, the apron opens with three drawers. The central drawer is wider. This unit houses the secretaire, which opens with a rigid cylinder. Once opened, it reveals a full-width pull-out that slides forward with a stop and provides a beautiful writing surface. The base consists of a paper holder with four drawers, one of which has a space for an inkwell.

Visible on all sides, this desk is a mid-range piece of furniture, featuring rosewood with effects achieved through various sawing and joining techniques, ranging from cross-grain curling achieved by sawing parallel to the wood grain to butterfly-shaped joins (a favorite motif of cabinetmaker Pierre II Migeon) achieved by sawing obliquely to the wood grain.

It is presented to you in beautiful condition, with beautiful wood colors enhanced by a French polish. The whole piece functions very well. The leather is antique with a beautiful patina. The locks are period-correct and operate with an antique bronze-headed key.

Our opinion:
This "bureau à panse" (a term used by Boucher fils), whose stamp is completely illegible, also bears the Jurande hallmark, JME, of the Parisian master joiners and cabinetmakers. This work is comparable to that of Parisian master cabinetmakers such as Nicolas Petit (1732-1791; received his mastery in 1761), for his meticulous craftsmanship and especially the selection of rosewood veneers, with a splendid butterfly-shaped joint work on the front of the piece, and a great complexity on the cylinder. This piece also has the great advantage of being finished on all its sides, which has the great advantage of being able to be placed anywhere and not just along a wall as is often the case.

Dimensions:
Height: 96 cm
Width: 95 cm
Depth: 46 cm
Height of writing tray: 73 cm
Depth of writing tray: 39 cm

Ref: 7ZPAE4W2PW