Although perhaps a more common and late example of period furniture, these desks exemplify fine domestic furniture circa 1830. The exact model is in fact conserved by the French Ministry of Culture’s reserve; Mobilier National. Although improved tools and techniques allowed makers to produce quite a few more of these desks than secretaries of earlier periods, these improvements allowed for a remarkable precision in the use of the excellently matched flame mahogany veneers one can appreciate here.

The gallery presents two equivalent models, each with contrasting lighter maple interiors, leather topped writing surfaces, and spring-loaded secret compartments. The marbles of both desks are “Saint-Anne grey” however one desk opens by two doors at the bottom as opposed to the other which has lower drawers built directly into the facade.

A full length video is available on youtube for a much more detailed look at these desks and a discussion of the Louis Philippe period as a whole.

(Extensive YouTube Video Link)

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