Desk - Blind - Wood - Florentino






Holds bachelor's degrees in Law and Art History with an Ecole du Louvre auctioneer diploma.
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A 19th‑century Florentine writing desk of black lacquered wood with a cylindrical roll‑up shutter, hand‑painted front decoration, a red velvet writing surface inside, and a front drawer with a central lock, originating from France and in the Antique/Napoleon III style (1850–1900), with dimensions 20 cm deep, 34 cm wide, and 20 cm high.
Description from the seller
A small Florentine 19th-century desk, made of black-lacquered wood and conceived as an elegant portable writing desk or cabinet escritoire. The piece stands out for its characteristic rolling cylinder shutter, a practical yet refined solution that allows the writing space and interior compartments to be hidden and protected when closed.
The front lid features a delicate hand-painted decoration inspired by Orientalism, with waterfowl, floral motifs and vegetal elements executed in gold, pink, green and bluish tones on a dark background, creating a rich chromatic contrast of great ornamental appeal. This taste for exotic and naturalist compositions reflects the decorative influence that characterized many Florentine manufactories of the late 19th century.
The interior incorporates a writing surface lined with red velvet, whose color notes add warmth and distinction to the piece. At the bottom there is a front drawer with metal pulls and a central lock, enriched with gilded floral ornamentation that extends along the structure.
Especially notable are the handcrafted decorations on the sides, marked by a strong modernist sensibility, where sinuous vegetal motifs and flowing lines anticipate the Art Nouveau aesthetic, giving the furniture a singular character and an interesting blend between Florentine tradition and the emerging decorative trends of the late 19th century.
For its compact dimensions, careful craftsmanship and the richness of its polychrome and gilded decoration, this escritoire constitutes a decorative piece of great charm, ideal for both antique furniture collectors and to integrate into a study, library, or writing corner with historical character.
Tracked shipping and careful packing.
Seller's Story
A small Florentine 19th-century desk, made of black-lacquered wood and conceived as an elegant portable writing desk or cabinet escritoire. The piece stands out for its characteristic rolling cylinder shutter, a practical yet refined solution that allows the writing space and interior compartments to be hidden and protected when closed.
The front lid features a delicate hand-painted decoration inspired by Orientalism, with waterfowl, floral motifs and vegetal elements executed in gold, pink, green and bluish tones on a dark background, creating a rich chromatic contrast of great ornamental appeal. This taste for exotic and naturalist compositions reflects the decorative influence that characterized many Florentine manufactories of the late 19th century.
The interior incorporates a writing surface lined with red velvet, whose color notes add warmth and distinction to the piece. At the bottom there is a front drawer with metal pulls and a central lock, enriched with gilded floral ornamentation that extends along the structure.
Especially notable are the handcrafted decorations on the sides, marked by a strong modernist sensibility, where sinuous vegetal motifs and flowing lines anticipate the Art Nouveau aesthetic, giving the furniture a singular character and an interesting blend between Florentine tradition and the emerging decorative trends of the late 19th century.
For its compact dimensions, careful craftsmanship and the richness of its polychrome and gilded decoration, this escritoire constitutes a decorative piece of great charm, ideal for both antique furniture collectors and to integrate into a study, library, or writing corner with historical character.
Tracked shipping and careful packing.
