A Louis XVI mahogany transforming desk attributed to Canabas

A fine Louis XVI solid mahogany and mahogany veneered bureau plat, attributed to Canabas
Joseph Gengenbach dit Canabas (1715-1797), master on April 1st, 1766.
The desk is opening by two drawers, each of them secured by a lock, and raised on four fluted legs, ending in ormolu caps and castors. The writing surface is divided in the middle in two leaves. These two leaves can be easily unfolded, and the desk is extending to a square dining table, or breakfast table for six to eight guests.
Paris, late 18th century

Size open : 50,2 in. x 46,85 in.

This piece of furniture combines two functions. A desk, as well as a square table, very convenient for entertaining guests. It was designed to suit the intimate interiors of late 18th century aristocratic Europe.

Canabas, who was of German origin, came to Paris in 1745 where he initially worked for Jean-François Oeben and Pierre Migeon. He became a master in 1766 and subsequently established himself in Faubourg Saint-Antoine and supplied both his private clientele and other dealers. He specialized in innovative small pieces of furniture, mainly utilitarian and practical pieces, often of innovative conception. His furniture was mainly executed in the best possible solid mahogany with a few exceptions where he used mahogany veneers; and most, such as this example, usually lack ormolu mounts.
He produced a wide range of pieces, even including seat furniture, and he was one of the early exponents of the goût anglais into which genre the present desk certainly fits.