Mid 18th Century Louis XV Bronze-Mounted Parquetry and Marquetry Bureau a Pente Secretaire

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Description

This is a lovely french secretary desk made in the middle of the 18th century by the cabinetmaker Nicolas Petit. … Read more This is a lovely french secretary desk made in the middle of the 18th century by the cabinetmaker Nicolas Petit. You can see his stamp in the photos. The desk is composed of Kingwood and Fruitwood and with gleaming gilt bronze mounts. The desk comes with a working key that locks and unlocks the slant front. The interior writing surface has a secret mechanism that unlocks and slides back to reveal a hidden compartment. You can see how some of the floral inlay leaves still retain some of their color which is quite rare. Usually sun damage erases all the color so seeing some remaining allows you to imagine how this piece must have once looked like a few hundred years ago. Great provenance on this piece too. This is a real show stopper piece which would look stunning in any one's home.

Provenance:
Touzain, France; Christie's, New York, Apr. 10, 1980, lot 219;
Barbara Lowe Fallas, Sotheby's, New York, Sep. 26, 1987, lot 187 See less