1920s French Louis XVI Bureau Plat Writing Desk

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A stunning antique Louis XVI style writing desk with beautifully aged patina.
Handcrafted in France in the early 20th century, … Read more A stunning antique Louis XVI style writing desk with beautifully aged patina.
Handcrafted in France in the early 20th century, featuring solid wooden construction, mahogany parquetry inlay, matched reverse diamond pattern, banding, cross-banding, contrasting ebony stringing, gilt bronze ormolu mounted accents, having a rectangular top with elegantly aged inset green leather writing surface, two pull out brushing slide extensions for additional work area, over four locking dovetailed drawers.
To unlock and open, the included original key must be turned in a pattern similar to unlocking a safe, the right two drawers open to reveal one large drawer with removable wooden interior divider box with visible dovetail joinery, and an additional quarter-way lock that makes it appear the drawer is fully open, when unlocked it opens to a very large secret compartment bankers stash box with sliding wood cover. It would have been the ideal spot to hide liquor during prohibition or valuables and important papers during the great depression.
The reverse has four faux drawer fronts, allowing the desk to be placed in the middle of a room, all rising on semi scrolled cabriole legs with two bronze sabots.
Truly a superb piece!
Circa 1920. Paris, France See less