Writing desk in rosewood, Napoléon III period – 2nd half of the 19th century

This scriban desk from the Napoleonic III era, made of rosewood and adorned with rich floral marquetry, presents itself as a prestigious piece of furniture that combines decorative virtuosity and architectural elegance. It is organised into two harmonious parts, the upper section forming a display case topped with a gendarme hat cornice, animated by two glazed doors framed with gilded bronze mouldings. The entries and the key, finely chiselled with scrolls and volutes, operate a functional lock. The interior reveals two shelves mounted on brackets, the edges delicately inlaid with light wood, adding a bright note to the whole. Beneath this display case are two drawers, the fronts of which, inlaid with garlands of flowers against a background of butterfly-wing rosewood, testify to a particularly refined attention to detail. The lower part consists of a sloped desk with a curved front, featuring a sumptuous drop-leaf richly decorated with scrolls, flowers, and arabesques. The entry and the key, also finely crafted, operate a lock in perfect working order. Upon opening, the shaped drop-leaf reveals a new black leather surface, bordered with a gilded vignette and adorned in its centre with an arabesque motif. The interior offers a structured and ingenious storage space, composed of a niche, three drawers, and two secret compartments with sliding lids, reflecting the craftsmanship and ingenuity of 19th-century cabinetmakers. The piece rests on curved legs in the Louis XV style, enhanced with bronze mounts and finished with matching hoofs, highlighting the elegant and dynamic silhouette of the desk. A refined and harmonious piece, this scriban desk brilliantly combines the artisanal finesse of the 19th century with the timeless charm of furniture designed to blend beauty, functionality, and prestige. Width: 87 cm Depth: 51 cm Height: 182 cm Reference 428V.