Roll top desk - Walnut, And marquetry of various wood - Bureau à cylindre
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Selected by Paul Wullems
He accumulated 18 years' experience, worked as junior specialist at Sotheby’s and managed Kunsthandel Jacques Fijnaut.
Estimate € 4,000 - € 5,000
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A Louis XVI cylinder bureau from circa 1770s in walnut with marquetry, a Neo-Classical Swiss French piece offering lockable storage and a curved lid.
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Description from the seller
Exquisite Louis XVI Cylinder Bureau ("Bureau à Cylindre"), France/Switzerland, circa 1770s
A magnificent and rare example of 18th-century craftsmanship, this large Louis XVI cylinder bureau embodies both elegance and functionality. Crafted around the 1770s, most likely in Eastern France or Switzerland, it reveals the refined hand of an accomplished ébéniste.
The corpus rests on slender, tapering rectangular legs, giving the piece a graceful balance. Two spacious lockable drawers anchor the lower section, while above, the writing compartment is concealed behind a beautifully curved semicircular lid. Inside, one discovers eight finely arranged small drawers and a sliding writing surface, perfectly combining practicality with sophistication.
The bureau’s decoration is particularly striking: a rich marquetry scheme where geometric precision harmonises with delicate floral details. This restrained yet opulent ornamentation reflects the transitional spirit of the Louis XVI style and speaks to its Swiss/French origins.
An exceptional collector’s piece — not only a functional writing desk but also a museum-worthy object of 18th-century decorative art, radiating timeless elegance.
Pick-up in Brussels otherwise possibility of delivery can be discussed depending on destination and cost
Exquisite Louis XVI Cylinder Bureau ("Bureau à Cylindre"), France/Switzerland, circa 1770s
A magnificent and rare example of 18th-century craftsmanship, this large Louis XVI cylinder bureau embodies both elegance and functionality. Crafted around the 1770s, most likely in Eastern France or Switzerland, it reveals the refined hand of an accomplished ébéniste.
The corpus rests on slender, tapering rectangular legs, giving the piece a graceful balance. Two spacious lockable drawers anchor the lower section, while above, the writing compartment is concealed behind a beautifully curved semicircular lid. Inside, one discovers eight finely arranged small drawers and a sliding writing surface, perfectly combining practicality with sophistication.
The bureau’s decoration is particularly striking: a rich marquetry scheme where geometric precision harmonises with delicate floral details. This restrained yet opulent ornamentation reflects the transitional spirit of the Louis XVI style and speaks to its Swiss/French origins.
An exceptional collector’s piece — not only a functional writing desk but also a museum-worthy object of 18th-century decorative art, radiating timeless elegance.
Pick-up in Brussels otherwise possibility of delivery can be discussed depending on destination and cost
Details
Era
1400-1900
Style subtype
Neo-Classicism
Wood type
And marquetry of various wood, Walnut
Title additional information
Bureau à cylindre
Country of Origin
Switzerland
Material
Wood
Style
Antique
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
119 cm
Width
121 cm
Depth
62 cm
Estimated period
1750-1800
Can Be Locked
Yes
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