19th c. Secretary Desk

France, 19th Century

$1,695

Antique One-Of-A-Kind Hard To Find

The French call a desk like this a bureau de pente, for the slope of its lid, which folds down into a writing surface and opens onto a row of small drawers made for letters, ink, and the household accounts. Found in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and dating to the 19th century, it is made in the Louis XVI taste, with carved rosettes on the lid and sides, round brass pulls, and tapered feet capped in brass. The slant-front desk rose in 18th-century France as letter writing became part of everyday life for any household that could read, and it let a whole correspondence be shut away with a single turn of the key. Sylvie keeps it in a bedroom corner, the lid closed beneath a stack of old books and a vase of white ranunculus.

Minor variations from the images may occur unless otherwise noted. All sales are final.

Age:: 19th Century
Country of Origin:: France
Material:: Wood with metal hardware
Dimensions:: 36.0" H x 33.0" W x 15.5" D

Notes from Sylvie:

Dear collector, as with many antiques, this piece may show signs of its age, including subtle repairs, a bit of movement, cracks, scratches, small holes, and surface variation from years of use. The top shows some scratches, scuffs, and a faint water ring, while the interior wood has some staining and wear. The top right and center drawers are missing, but the two remaining drawers open smoothly. The hinged hardware functions properly, and the back is partially raw, unfinished wood. The piece is in good condition overall.

All items are final sale.