Sloping desk from the first part of the Louis XV period

Sloping desk known as "Dos d'âne", curved and inlaid on all four sides

Dimensions : H. 99 cm x W. 96 cm x D. 50 cm

Paris circa 1730

This is a beautifully crafted piece of Parisian furniture. The species chosen for the veneer is violet wood, more expensive than rosewood, but with a more regular grain and an incomparable honey color. This desk was designed to be placed in the middle of a room: the curved shape of the belt, which extends the curve of the legs, is present not only on the front, but also on the sides and back. The fine frieze and latticework marquetry is exactly the same on the back as on the front, showing that this is not an old three-sided sloping desk, as is unfortunately often the case.

The section of the legs is powerful and without a 5th panel; the cut of the waistband is still straight, and the drawer interiors are made of beautiful walnut: these features allow us to date this desk very early in the Louis XV period, during which the force of the Regency is still very much in evidence. It is a fine example of this kind of transition, where the elegant curve of the legs announces the new style in vogue, while the straight-edged body of the piece seems to cling to the previous reign

The bronze ornamentation is discreet but finely chiseled. The bronzes echo the aforementioned transition, with falls and sabots already very much in the Louis XV style, while the key escutcheons are still Regency. The sobriety of the bronzes is intended to highlight the superb geometric marquetry.

The desk opens on the front with 5 drawers and a flap covered in Havana leather (later). Inside, 4 pigeonholes and 7 tiered drawers testify to extremely meticulous craftsmanship. A trapdoor provides access to a secret compartment, at the bottom of which are two small original drawers, hidden behind the tiers.

This desk has just been restored and is in an excellent state of preservation.