Dalva Brothers Antiques, Antique Furniture, New York

French 18th century furniture, clocks, lighting, paintings, porcelain, sculpture and tapestries

Rare Louis XV secrétaire made to be used either standing or seated signed Pierre Roussel. The unusual desk, finished à quatre faces (on all four sides), has a slanted leather covered writing surface in front of a horizontal rectangular panel at the top. The hinged writing surface lifts to reveal a bois satiné veneered compartment with one drawer and a mock drawer; the mock drawer concealing a small hinged drawer that pulls out from the side for the writing implements necessary when standing. The second level has a pull-out writing surface for seated use with a side drawer containing space for the writing tools. The third level is a stretcher shelf. The desk rests on four graceful cabriole legs with sabots.

There is a similar desk in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Top horizontal panel: Length – 32 ¼" (81.9 cm.) Width – 6 ½" (16.5 cm.)