NAPOLEON III BONHEUR DU JOUR CABINET DESK

NAPOLÉON III BONHEUR DU JOUR CABINET DESK, In ebonised wood, bowed on each side, with abundant Boulle marquetry featuring overall decoration in the manner of Bérain, comprising two sections:

Upper section: opening with three doors, two of which fitted with bevelled mirrors, offering an interior with two shelves, decorated with a frieze of flowers and foliage in scrolling form in gilt bronze and further decorative elements... Terminating in a large central drawer with a brass lock plate,

Fluted uprights,

The whole surmounted by a white marble top,

Lower section: forming a slant-front bureau, offering a writing surface covered in red leather trimmed with a gilt border, the interior presenting three drawers on each side, one of which is a secret drawer with queen-style decoration — small yellow flowers on a green ground — and in the centre two storage compartments, one of which slides. Below the writing surface, three storage drawers.

The whole resting on fluted sheath feet with gilt acanthus details, joined by an X-shaped stretcher surmounted at its centre by a gilt bronze cassolette.

French work, circa 1870/1880.