Offered by Gallery de Potter d'Indoye
18th-century and Empire French furniture, works of art and pictures
Attributed to Jacob Frères.
The upper tier opens with 4 drawers and rests on a desk opening with a large sliding drawer forming a writing desk. The latter is plated in speckled maple, concealing 4 small drawers. The lower part conceals 3 drawers in the belt, rests on a straight base with a moulding at the back, and a base with lion's head and animal leg in front. The closing system is similar to the mechanical desk found at Malmaison and several other palaces occupied by the Emperor. He had this system made to quickly conceal documents and secret papers.