The Bodhisattva Collection

A Napolean III Gilt Bronze Boulle Slope Top Desk, 19th

A Napolean III Gilt Bronze Boulle Slope Top Desk, 19th


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Directory: Antiques: Furnishings: Pre 1900: Item # 1260365
The Bodhisattva Collection
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Austin
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From our European Collection, a stunning Napoleon III gilt bronze mounted boulle marquetry and ebonized "bureau en pente," or slope top writing desk, dating to the third quarter of the 19th century circa 1865-1885. This fantastic and nearly pristine example of boulle work features a rectangular top surmounted by a pierced brass gallery, set above a boulle inlaid slant front desk cover that opens to several drawers and pigeon holes above a larger scalloped drawer. This desk is raised upon gilt bead banded cabriole legs, ending in foliate sabots.

Size and Condition: Height 42 inches; width 28 inches; depth 17 inches. Overall in superb structurally sound condition with most of the boulle work surviving in excellent shape, absent some random minor lifting and scuffing here and there. There is the remnant of what appears to be a prior monogram "MS" that has been removed at some point, but has left a ghost image in the ebonized wood where it was removed. There are also some of what appear to be drinking cup stains on the leather writing surface of the desk itself, though frankly, this just adds to its charm and bonafides as a once used functional item. It's fun to imagine who throughout the last 125-150 years, may have been sitting at this desk...