Cuban mahogany flat desk from the Louis XVI period.

Paris, Circa 1780, Louis XVI period
Height 78cm Length 165,5cm Depth 84cm
Length of the zippers 42cm each

The Flat Desk is undoubtedly the furniture that best represents the excellence of the decorative arts of the 18th century. From the Louis XV period, in opposition to the coffered desks, flat desks make their appearance. The straight line of the belt, if it reduces the storage space, gives a sublime look and will be the appanage of the most demanding customers. The price of flat desks is of course due to the quality of their construction, but also to their rarity: In the large homes of powerful clients, there were dozens of chests of drawers, secretaries and small pieces of furniture, but often only one desk. This is the reason why a lot of Louis XV and Louis XVI style desks were built during the Napoleon III period, which should not be confused with period desks like this one.

The dimension of this desk is large, without reaching the size of some desks of one meter eighty which are often disgraceful in their proportions. The length of one meter sixty five, is enlarged by two beautiful pull-outs of 42cm each which give this desk a very nice working surface. It is an all-sided desk, designed to be displayed in the middle of a room.

The first quality of this desk is the quality of the mahogany used. The most beautiful species of mahogany were imported from Cuba. Here, the solid wood uprights and the beautifully thick leaves have been cut from mahogany with an exceptional grain and without any defects. The second quality of this desk is the excellence of its lines. The large section of the uprights is proportionate to the width of the desk. The uprights, which form the legs, are ideally tapered: they are slightly swollen to avoid a "toothpick" optical effect. The overhang of the top is also well calculated, as well as the relatively narrow mahogany reserve that encircles the leather. Finally, the original bronze trim is very neat while remaining sober. The ingot mould is moulded, the rings and the hooves are finely chiselled, and the frames on the drawers, sides, uprights and false drawers are in regular pearl. The original gilding of the bronzes has been recovered, except for the pearls which have been re-gilded.

The leather top is new; it was made by the house "Lemerle". The desk has been completely restored and buffed (au tampon). This desk is mounted on oak, it is in a very good state of conservation and has only undergone maintenance restorations.