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DESK (TOP SECTION)

Creator(s): Heinrich Gambs (Attributed to)

Currently in storage


About this object

Brass strips in varying widths outline desk's drawers and exterior lines. Two drawers are located below the roll top and above is a superstructure with a drop-front writing surface. The front legs, set at an angle, are decorated with three wide strips of inlaid brass ending with brass circles on the sides and an ormolu floral decoration at the top. Similar channeling runs along the sides of the roll top and ends in an angled square block similarly decorated with brass urn finials. When the roll top is up, the writing surface, partly covered in red leather stamped in gold, slides forward. Two drawers are inside this portion of the desk. All the brass drawer pulls, which are added at a later date, are decorated with baskets of flowers. The top cabinet is set with four pieces of verre englomise. At the top scrolling acanthus leaves with butterflies and sea nymphs in gold are highlighted in black on a dark blue ground. This motifs frame Apollo riding his chariot rendered in black on a gold ground. Cupids decorate a small square panel with gold floral ornament on the two long panels on either side of the desk. Each of these panels has small classical figures in black on gold in the center. A curved architrave encloses the glass plaques at the top.

Object name:
DESK (TOP SECTION)
Made from:
Wood -- brass -- verre eglomisé
Made in:
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Date made:
ca. 1800
Size:
H. 66 1/2 × W. 40 1/2 in. (168.9 × 102.9 cm)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
32.26B
Signature marks:
Credit line:
Gift of Dina Merrill Robertson, 1980