Antique French Ormolu Mounted Marquetry Bureau Plat c.1860

Ref: 07981

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This is a very fine French antique bureau plat with ormolu mounts which features fine quality floral marquetry and which dates from around 1860.

This beautiful piece of furniture has been made with artistic marquetry requiring the highest level of craftsmanship. The surface of the table top of this antique ormolu mounted bureau plat features very intricate floral marquetry decoration. Using a number of different and exotic veneers which include Kingwood, rosewood, satinwood, burr walnut, and purpleheart, the level of detail present here can only be described as extraordinary. The central panel is worthy of particular attention, it being inlaid with a representation of an urn on a flower filled satinwood background together with a decorative border of foliage which has been rendered in mahogany and burr walnut.

As you can see from the images provided the imposing table top is completed with a highly decorative ormolu border which adds an additional level of elegance to this antique bureau plat in addition to providing protection for the edges of this fine piece.

A beautiful trellis pattern ormolu border over inset green mica crystal decorates the frieze which also features a large frieze drawer.

One of the most striking features of this beautifully crafted antique ormolu mounted bureau plat is the ormolu mounted and turned reeded tapering legs which are joined by X-stretchers. These have a striking central gilded turned finial.

Please also take note of the intricate and striking ormolu mountings to be found on the legs.

Condition

As you can tell by looking at the images we have supplied, this antique bureau plat is in truly excellent condition. It has been fastidiously cleaned and polished in our own workshops.

Will it Fit?

This wonderful antique ormolu mounted bureau plat should to be given pride of place in the room. To make sure it will fit in the space you have in mind please check the measurements as below.

Somewhere to Sit?

May we suggest that you also take a look at our range of leather desk chairs and other chairs suitable for use with this antique bureau plat.

More Information and To View

You are very welcome to email us or call us using the contact details shown above with any questions you might have about this antique bureau plat. We would also be delighted to arrange a viewing of this table at our North London warehouse, just email or call for an appointment quoting our reference as shown above so we know which bureau plat you are referring to.

The showroom is open from 10am to 5pm every weekday and on occasional Saturdays - please call first before making a journey on a Saturday.

Shipping, Delivery and Return

This antique bureau plat is a very special piece of antique furniture and requires careful packing and shipping. We can ship to any destination worldwide and will take care of the packing for you, but please do call or email for a quotation before purchasing the item so that we can fully discuss your requirements. We ship to any mainland UK address free of charge.

If you are not satisfied with the item we offer a 14-day money back guarantee in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations. You will be responsible for the return shipping fees for this antique bureau plat unless we have erroneously described the item in some material way and you do not receive what you were expecting. You must return the item in its original packaging and condition.

Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the United Kingdom.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 76 x Width 129 x Depth 77

Height 54 - Kneehole

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 4 foot, 3 inches x Depth 2 foot, 6 inches

Height 1 foot, 9 inches - Kneehole

Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 - 1807)

was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as "Kauffmann", Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.

While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.

Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.

The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek atMunich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).

Satinwood

is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satinwood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia.

The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satinwood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies.

It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satinwood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.

Our reference: 07981

Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse.

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