A Very Rare 19th Century French Marquetry Inlaid Bonheur Du Jour Ladies Desk With Ormolu M

A very rare 19th Century finely hand carved well figured mahogany French Bonheur Du Jour ladies desk of exceptional quality with rich patination and fine grain.  This fabulous piece is fitted with well cast ormolu mounts and features beautiful marquetry panels depicting exquisitely detailed Neoclassical motifs throughout comprising of tied ribbon bows, urns, scrolling foliate, flowerheads and stylised Green Key motifs.  The moulded overhanging cornice with lozenge and bead carved detailing is raised over a panelled frieze with ormolu border above a pair of panelled cupboard doors which open to reveal a shelved interior and feature stunning marquetry panels to the central reserves framed within ormolu borders, flanked with ormolu mounted applied flowerhead paterae and corbels.  The lower section features a crossbanded moulded top of rectangular form with an intricate marquetry inlaid panel to the central reserve depicting an urn with flowers and linen swags encircled with foliate and stylised Greek Key detailing flanked with arrangements of richly scrolling foliate and flowers.  Raised over a frieze with a pull out slide fitted with a classic tooled leather writing skiver surface above a single long drawer which opens to reveal a fitted storage section.  Supported on elegantly tapering fluted, ring turned legs  united by a decorative scrolled X-form stretcher with a beautiful urn finial to the centre, terminating on arrow foot.

Mahogany Type: 'Santos Mahogany'