Tuart jean-baptiste ii marquetry wood secretary, stamped

A rare Louis XVI period drop-front secretary desk in rosewood and amaranth veneer. It opens with a drawer in the frieze, a leather-covered drop-front revealing a shelf, two niches, and four small drawers. The lower section opens with two doors revealing a chest surmounted by a shelf. The top is of veined white marble with a gallery, and the back of the piece is curved. Keys are present and the locks are functional. The shape, the asymmetrical top, and the convex back suggest that it was originally intended to be fitted into a corner cabinet. 18th-century Parisian work. Dimensions: Height: 133 cm. Width: 74 cm. Depth: 34 cm. TUART Jean-Baptiste II Cabinetmaker. Paris. His early pieces are stamped: I.-B. Tuart. This mark is also found on Louis XV style pieces. Under Louis XVI, the master used a different printing iron: J.-B. Tuart in smaller letters.