Furniture by one of the greatest cabinet-makers of the eighteenth century
Fall-front desk
1783Oak, burr wood (probably yew), purplewood, stained woods, ebony or ebonised wood, box, gilt bronze, Carrara marble | 138.5 x 98.8 x 42.5 cm | F303
Although Riesener made this fall-front desk and matching corner cupboard in 1783 for Marie-Antoinette’s cabinet bas at the château de Marly, they spent much of their early life travelling between Versailles and Marly during the queen’s many refurnishing projects. The burr wood veneer contrasts beautifully with the gilt-bronze mounts, but it is not original and has replaced marquetry decoration. The central medallion is also probably a replacement. The changes were probably made between 1794 and 1825 to appeal to the taste of the day.
Isometric drawings
Graphics showing the construction of the object
Digital model
3D visualisation of the object
