1750s Desks and Writing Tables

Excellent French Louis XV Marquetry Dressing Table, so-called "Perruquiere", Manner of Pierre Roussel (1723-1782) The top of shaped outline, the front is recurved with a small kneehole, fitted with a leather covered pull out writing slide and four drawers. The sides are slightly bowed. The top divided in three sections, the outer two hingeing outwards to reveal box sections, once used for storing toilet articles or wigs (french: perruque, therefore this type of funiture is called "perruquière"), the central one lifts up on a hinge to reveal an adjustable mirror. The dressing table is supported on square-sectioned cabriole legs, the feet with gilt-bronze sabots. Being decorated on all sides, it is possible to place the dressing table or perruquière in the center of a room. Dressing tables were essential pieces of furniture for fashionable 18th century ladies who spent much time at their toilette preparing for an endless series of entertainments and social appearances. A series of drawers, which could be secured by lock and key, rendered such furniture appropriate for storing personal effects and, especially, private correspondence. The well proportioned curvy shape as well as the excellent marquetry decoration of the Louis XV dressing table...

From the Rococo period with a uniquely shaped top having a serpentine front and sides with a straight back, the case with a carved vine motif and housing one drawer, raised on cabrio...

Rectangular top with original tooled brown leather with distressed sections over three drawers with elaborate bronze handles and false opposing drawers, raised on cabriole legs and b...

With a diminutive and restrained profile, this fine George II period kneehole desk is characterized by a single full width frieze drawer over a hidden centre drawer with “cupid’s bow” scalloping over a prospect door set back into the case. This is flanked on either side by three small graduated drawers, all being lined in oak and finely hand dovetailed, retaining original fire gilt brasses and keyhole escutcheons (two replaced) and a single original key. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the desk is the crisply fluid chamfered corners with “lamb’s tongue“ transitions, this is handled incredibly well and shows a certain mastery that is noteworthy. The top is veneered with mahogany and surrounded by an applied thumb-molded edge that projects just slightly over the three sides. Resting over scroll cut bracket feet, all of these are original other than a single facing; most blocking is also original. The back of the desk retains the original pine backboards with forged iron nails affixing the edges. These are generally identified both as kneehole desks and dressing tables...

Louis XV marquetry mechanical table or ‘table liseuse’, in the manner of Le´onard Boudin (1735-1804), veneered in tulipwood and other exotic woods, in part stained, on a carcase of o...

A Louis XV marquetry dressing table or 'perruquiere' attributed to Pierre Roussel (1723-1782). The table is veneered in tulipwood and other woods, forming floral marquetry panels with a the top central panel incorporating a trophy of finely inlaid musical instruments. The marquetry shows signs of staining and inking, the whole on a carcase of oak and pine. The top of shaped outline, the front is recurved with a small kneehole, fitted with a leather covered pull out writing slide and four drawers. The sides are slightly bowed. The body of the table, serpentine on the lower edge on all sides, is veneered with diagonally-set tulipwood forming the background of the marquetry panels. The top divided in three sections, the outer two hingeing outwards to reveal box sections, the central one lifts up on a hinge to reveal an adjustable mirror. The left hand compartment lifts out to reveal a still fitted lined box with toilet articles: including two glass bottles/ flasks with silver screw tops and an appropriate metal funnel, scissor, spoon, a silver needle case...

This is a very early small Georgian period antique table or desk, probably dating to circa 1750-1790s period. It's walnut with a lovely rich c...

With green inset leather set in the shaped rectangular top with working drawers on both sides and one side with cabinet doors, raised on ogee bracket feet.

Having a rectangular top with four breadboard ends and rounded corners, the case housing one wide drawer with steel pulls and backplates, raised on slender cabriole legs.