LOUIS XV STYLE ROSEWOOD VENEER WOMAN'S DESK

A Louis XV style lady's writing desk veneered in rosewood within amaranth borders. It rests on four cabriole legs framing a serpentine frieze with three drawers. The right-hand drawer has a drop-leaf insert. The top is surmounted by a small stepped section with three niches and two small drawers. One of the drawers forms an inkwell with two compartments decorated with lion heads and an hourglass. The stepped section is adorned with an openwork gallery of gilt bronze, chased with foliage. Rich ornamentation of chased and gilt bronze mounts adorns the corner mounts, drawer pulls, and keyhole escutcheons. It features jagged foliage, satyr heads, and a ram's head. Circa 1870

What is a lady's desk?

The lady's writing desk was designed specifically for women and used as a workspace and for correspondence. Typically small and elegantly decorated, it was often made of precious woods such as rosewood, violet wood, or amaranth. The desk's front was adorned with marquetry, delicate carvings, and floral motifs. The legs were often cabriole and finely carved. The lady's writing desk included several compartments and drawers for storing writing supplies, stationery, and jewelry. It often contained small drawers and secret compartments for storing confidential letters or valuables. The lady's writing desk was a symbol of refinement and social status. It was often placed in the bedrooms or drawing rooms of noblewomen. These pieces of furniture were often passed down through generations, a testament to the importance placed on their aesthetic and functional value. Today, the Louis XV style lady's writing desks offered by Galerie Atena are considered precious collector's items and are highly sought after by antique enthusiasts. They represent an artistic and historical testimony of the era and the exquisite taste of the Rococo period.

Condition report: In good overall condition.