SMALL VENEERED WRITING DESK - LOMBARDY - LOUIS XVI
Elegant Lombard Louis XVI Center Writing Desk, Late 18th Century
A work of high Italian cabinetmaking, a testament to the refined neoclassical taste of 18th-century Lombardy.
Main Features
Type: Writing desk or center table (i.e., finished on all sides to be positioned in the center of a room).
Style/Period: Lombard Louis XVI, late 18th century (Neoclassicism).
Materials: Precious wood essences, walnut, cherry, rosewood, and boxwood, with rich and skillful inlaid and veneered workmanship.
Esthetic Details and Workmanship
Top: The salient feature is the magnificent inlaid top. It presents a radial or "herringbone" design (fishbone motif) in a single essence that radiates from a central medallion.
Central Medallion: The inlaid oval is finely decorated with a floral motif in light and dark essences, framed by contrasting threads.
Under-top Band: The front band has a drawer and a pull-out sliding top.
Inlays: The entire structure is enriched by elegant light and dark threads that delineate the panels and drawers, a hallmark of Lombard cabinetmaking.
Legs: Tapered and truncated pyramidal (with a square section that narrows downwards), typical of the Louis XVI style. They are finished with brass shoes on the feet.
Hardware: Handles (knobs) and keyhole in bronze, consistent with the era.
Conditions
Condition: In patina, with a beautiful shellac polishing that enhances the wood graining. Natural signs of wear and age are noticeable, attesting to its authenticity and history.
Functionality: The structure is solid and the drawer is functional. The writing desk function with pull-out shelf and compartments makes it a versatile piece.
Dimensions: 104 x 64, height 80 cm.