Adorable small desk stamped rené boutin (18th century). secret drawer.

Adorable small sloping desk bearing the stamp of René BOUTIN, "cabinetmaker in Paris, rue de Charonne, worked exclusively for luxury carriages. Received as a master in 1754, he was a juror of his community from 1773 to 1775, then a deputy or administrator of this corporation. He was still living in 1795." (The Cabinetmakers of the 18th Century..., De Salverte, 1923). In any case, he also made desks, and this one is irresistible due to the quality of the craftsmanship, the purity of the period patina, and its dimensions; it combines a very strong presence with a discreet size and can fit into any room, from an entrance to a bedroom, including a living room. It rests on four curved legs and opens at the front with three drawers (the centre one of the upper row being a trompe l'oeil (see below). The three are fitted with more recent keys (19th century) that work except for the one for the bottom drawer. The top also locks with its 19th-century key and reveals, when opened, a surface adorned with cherry-coloured morocco leather surrounded by a golden ribbon. Inside, there are several shelves and four adorable small drawers with their superb gilded bronze handles. In the centre, at the bottom, the wooden panel slides back when pushed and reveals a secret compartment that is always very fun to use or to discover. The stamp is found at the top right of the desk. The top opens and closes without any issue; there are some very old and faded wax stains on the drawer section, but they honestly have no impact, as well as signs of use. The left corner of the bottom drawer has been discreetly reattached, but apart from that, this desk is in superb condition, solid, stable, and usable without any worries; and has a patina that is both warm and radiant. H: 98.5 cm. W: 64.5 cm. D: 44 cm.