Harmonious Writing Box In Inlaid Rosewood And Thuja From The 19th Century.

Elegantly discreet, this Office Writing Case with a sober silhouette is covered over its entire body with a shimmering, carefully inlaid Rosewood veneer. Its back, its sides and its base in softly scrolled ogee are adorned with a crimping of end grain or cut into a "V". The latter forms a frame for the panels embellishing its sloping flap and its top. Harmoniously worked in an "X" (also known as a Fern), in "butterfly wings" centered with a "square" curling, these marquetry plaques are adorned with a string of diamond patterns decorated with acanthus florets. Weighted, gilded bronze rods chiseled with heart-shaped motifs and a thread of pearls enhance this skilful and refined decor. Beautifully crafted with a small floral Rocaille cartouche, a gilded bronze keyhole brightens the top part of the main flap which, when folded down, reveals an interior surrounded by a attractive speckled thuja veneer. Its top dedicated to sciptuary activities is covered in garnet velvet embroidered with a trefoil patterned border and stamped in gold with the monogram "JB". Raised, its second flap facilitates access to the paper holder with undulating stepped profiles under which are nestled two small drawers with a curved brace front. Each has a gold grip button. Note the care given to the interior hinges re-engraved with scrolls and acanthus leafy scrolls. The beauty of this "handpiece" highly prized by both women and men of the 19th century, experienced in secret or imperative scriptural activities, lies in its sober formal elegance ennobled by an inlaid decoration that is as ingenious as it is harmonious. As such, it testifies to the degree of refinement demonstrated by a whole generation of prestigious Parisian tablet-cabinetmakers (Th.Année, Audot, G.Alix, Sormani or Tahan pères or even Laurent and Leruth, rue Chapon) particularly attentive to quality and the discerning taste of their productions. ------------ Materials: Rosewood; Speckled thuja; gilded bronze; original garnet velvet. Dimensions: H.: 30 cm;-L.: 40 cm;-Pr.: closed: 30 cm. Quality Parisian fine tablet work from the second half of the 19th century. End of the Louis-Philippe Period-Beginning of the Second Empire. Circa 1850 Good condition. Buffer varnish. Original gilding. With his key. Functional lock Note: ink cup and hourglass missing.