Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry Roll-Top Desk Attributed to P. Bernard

Antique French marquetry, ormolu and jasperware Bureau du Roi by Beurdeley French, c. 1890 Height 151cm, width 190cm, depth 100cm The Bureau du Roi, also known as the secrétaire à cylindre, is among the most celebrated masterpieces of 18th century furniture design—an unparalleled example of French craftsmanship and regal opulence. Originally commissioned by King Louis XV in 1760, the project was entrusted to ébéniste du roi Jean-François Oeben (1721–1763). However, Oeben passed away before its completion and his successor, Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806), finalised the desk in 1769. During the 19th century, several master cabinetmakers sought to replicate this extraordinary creation, including the esteemed Emmanuel Alfred Beurdeley (1847–1919). The present example, produced circa 1890, was exhibited at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where it garnered admiration for its exceptional artistry. Following the exhibition, it was acquired by financier George Jay Gould I (1864–1923) and later photographed in the Lakewood, New Jersey residence of his wife, actress Edith Kingdon Gould (1864–1921). This magnificent desk is crowned with a decorative clock, draped in festoons and accompanied by two playful putti and a finely sculpted dog. Twin ormolu urns rest atop an openwork gallery, leading to additional flower-filled ormolu vases. Flanking the central roll-top panel are finely cast ormolu figures of Apollo and Calliope, each supporting a twin-light scrolling acanthus candelabrum. With a turn of a key, the roll-top slides open to reveal an exquisite arrangement of three pull-out shelves and three drawers, each front panel adorned with delicate ormolu banding and intricate floral trellis parquetry. A gilt-tooled leather writing surface unfolds, featuring a pop-up central panel that lifts to reveal a folding folio stand alongside three additional storage compartments. Below, a central kneehole drawer, embellished with an ormolu bow, is flanked by twin-divided drawers, all decorated with finely detailed floral marquetry. Every aspect of this Bureau du Roi is a testament to superior craftsmanship, featuring elaborate marquetry and parquetry designs. The upper section consists of three panels, with the tambour roll-top inlaid with intricate mythological motifs. Two side medallions bear Latin inscriptions drawn from Cesare Ripa’s Iconologia (1555–1622): NON. NISI. GRANDIA. CANTO. / IRRIDENS. CUSPIDE. FIGO. and BREVI. COMPLECTOR. SINGULA. CANO / PASTORUM. CARMINA. LUDO. These decorative elements, along with the marquetry on the roll-top and upper surfaces, celebrate the arts, literature, and architecture. The bombé sides of the desk are richly decorated with marquetry panels depicting symbols of both naval and terrestrial warfare, framed by elegant ormolu laurel swags. These ornamental details complement a series of exquisite blue and white Wedgwood Jasperware medallions...

French gilt bronze and marquetry writing desk after Cressent. French, late 19th century Measures: height 79cm, width 134cm, depth 76cm This very fine desk was retailed by the celebrated English retailers Edwards & Roberts and was designed and crafted in France in the manner of Charles Cressent, who worked during the early eighteenth century in the Régence style. The desk is crafted from rich dark wood finished with chequerboard marquetry and fixed with gilt bronze mounts. The desk features a flat tabletop bordered in gilt bronze, which is raised above an apron and four cabriole legs. The apron features three drawers to the front, each affixed with gilt bronze mounts in a foliate style and modelled as theatrical masks, while the sides of the apron are affixed with gilt bronze grotesques...

Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry Writing Desk by Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener French, late 19th Century Height 74 cm, Width 89 cm, Depth 63 cm This finely crafted writing desk by Joseph-Emmanuel...

Rococo style writing desk mounted with gilt bronze French, late 19th century Measures: Height 78cm, width 134cm, depth 64cm This superb ...

A Fine Mid 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Marquetry Desk By Guillaume-Edmond Lexcellent By Guillaume-Edmond Lexcellent The upper structure consisting of two doors ...

Remarkable Louis XVI style rolltop writing desk with marquetry latticework pattern. The front of the desk features six drawers. The rolling cover is embellished with a beautiful marquetry medallion surrounded by ormolu garlands. It opens to reveal six small drawers and an extendible writing surface covered with brown leather and framed with gold-colored motifs. The central drawer under the cover has a secret opening underneath, that can be opened by pressing a button. The top of the desk is bordered with an openwork frame. The sculpted, gilt bronze ornamentation features a bas-relief frieze of cupids playing and an allegory of Sculpture. The desk is set on four tapered legs. Attributed to Beurdeley, one of the most important dynasties of furniture makers in the 19th century (1818-1895), particularly famous for the quality of their gilded bronze frames and the choice of precious materials for the ornamentation of their furniture and objets d'art. This piece was created in the 19th century after a rolltop desk delivered on December 21, 1784 by Jean Henri Reisener...

An Exquisite Late 19th Century Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Inlaid Marquetry and Parquetry Bureau a Cylindre The stepped rectangular top with pierced three quarter gallery ab...

Elegant antique-style roll-top writing desk (bureau à cylindre) crafted from fine wood veneers with beautiful parquetry and inlaid details. The desk features a tambour roll-top cover...