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LADIES' WRITING TABLE

Creator(s): Nicolas Lannuier (Maker) , Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory (Manufacturer)

On view in: Marjorie Post's Bedroom


About this object

The marquetry top has in the center an oval panel with zigzags in light wood bordered in dark. The zigzags form rectangles which hold fleurettes in light wood. The frame for this has outer and inner borders in dark wood and between are interlaced ribbons with a sun motif in the center of each side. The top is protected by and ormolu edge. The main body of the desk is divided into four sections by vertical panels above each leg and is framed in ormolu with an applique in the form of a cluster of flowers hanging from a bowknot. The four sides are similar in design, each with a rectangular panel of Sevres porcelain with an ormolu frame in the center. Those on the front and back are larger than those on the sides. These Sevres plaques are bowed outward slightly, following the curves of the sides. They are painted with a scattering of pink roses on a white ground with a border of turquoise edged in gold. At either side of the Sevres plages is a vertical marquetry panel; those on the front with rosettes in an interlace framed in light green and dark wood, those on the sides with leaves and a rosette within a circle. The front panel springs open when a button concealed underneath is pressed and a drawer comes out. The top is for writing with an inkwell, and there is a sandbox and place for pens at the right. The writing portion slides back and discloses a more secret place. The legs have ormolu capitals and are tapering and channelled. The channels are in darker wood with an ormolu decoration on the upper portion. The shelf has a zig-zag decoration similar to that on the top but within a rectangle not an oval, although the shelf is oval. This has an ormolu guardrail.

Object name:
LADIES' WRITING TABLE
Made from:
Wood marquetry -- ormolu -- porcelain
Made in:
Paris, France
Date made:
ca. 1785-1793
Size:
76.2 × 66 × 45.7 cm (30 × 26 × 18 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
31.25
Signature marks:
Stamp Lannuier Under the front skirt For Nicolas-Louis Cyrille Lannuier, who became maitre in 1783. See J. Nicolay, "L'art et al Maniere des Maitres Ebenistes Francais," p. 253. Stamp Lannuier Under the back skirt For Nicolas-Louis Cyrille Lannuier who became maitre in 1783. Inscription Numbers On the back of each porcelain plaque Sèvres factory's price ticket On the back of each plaque
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973