Large ebony and blackened pearwood desk, Paris circa 1710 - 1720

Height 79cm - Width 180cm - Depth 90cm

Following in the footsteps of the Mazarin desks, and well before the advent of flat desks, ebony and blackened pearwood pedestal desks appeared at the very end of the 17th century. These luxury pieces of furniture were mainly commissioned by the aristocracy. Perfectly suited to Boulle marquetry, these desks were produced until the early Louis XV period, with obviously very different levels of quality, depending on the wealth of the clients. Dimensions, design details, bronze models and quality of execution are all criteria to be taken into account.

The high quality of this desk is based on a number of distinguishing features:

This piece of furniture was made very early in the 18th century, as evidenced by the reminiscence of the interior legs (the very first black desks had 8 legs, like the Mazarin desks), and the presence of fine darkening in the drawers, made from fine walnut. It opens with a wide, recessed central drawer, and four side drawers divided into two pedestals whose curved fronts punctuate the line of the desk. With its large dimensions, this desk was certainly commissioned for a grand château. The sober, well-chiselled bronze fittings are perfectly matched to the design of the fillets. Ebony and blackened pearwood are inlaid with a double fillet of brass, creating a proportionate geometric pattern, opulent but not overdone. The drawer edges are finely rounded and the design of the 8-sided legs is remarkable. On all sides, the back of this desk has the same features as the front, simulating drawers. Last but not least, the belts on all four sides and, importantly, on the inside of the pedestals, are elaborately cut.

This desk certainly underwent a complete restoration 20 or 30 years ago. It has obviously been used with great care by its owners, as it is in excellent condition, even if the varnish has lost its original shine, as can be seen in the photos. The absence of any recent restoration allows us to offer a very attractive price for a desk of this quality. The beautiful ochre leather has a beautiful patina, and is encircled by a superb original moulding. The veneer bears the marks of a few nails that held later bronzes, which have been removed to leave only the original ornamentation.