Writing table
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1840
Materials
Satinwood, amaranth, gilt brass, glass, holly oak, leather
Measurements
103 x 78.7 x 34.5 cm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Kingston Lacy Estate, Dorset
NT 1254503
Summary
A satinwood, amaranth cross banded, chequer inlaid and gilt brass mounted ladies writing desk or bonheur du jour, Anglo-French, circa 1840. The upper section with a pierced three quarter brass gallery above a pair of glazed cupboard doors, the lower section with a central frieze drawer fitted with an adjustable writing surface and pen and ink compartments. Raised on inlaid fluted turned supports tied by a conforming galleried shelf stretcher and with a paneled back, turned tapered legs. Brass fittings. Although very much of French 'Louis XVI' design, this cabinet was probably made in London. By the mid - 19th century national borders had ceased to be a barrier to furniture styles. Political and economic troubles in Paris resulted in many Parisian cabinet makers fleeing to London where there was a high demand for the French style and anything of French design in London was an almost guaranteed success, and vice versa. One feature that is more often seen on French cabinet work is the long locking bar which locks the cabinet doors to the top section of this piece, it is not unique to French furniture but English examples often used small inset bolts.
Provenance
Bequest of the estates of Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy made to the National Trust by Henry John Ralph Bankes (1902-1981). NT ownership commenced from 19th August 1982.