Furniture by one of the greatest cabinet-makers of the eighteenth century
JEAN-HENRI RIESENER (1734-1806)
Writing table (chiffonnière)
c.1781Oak, purplewood, satiné, stained woods, ebony or ebonised wood, box, gilt bronze | 73.3 x 59 x 41.9 cm | 2546
Since the nineteenth century, this writing table has been celebrated for the quality of its gilt-bronze mounts and its marquetry decoration. The details of its early provenance are not clear, but the stamp of Marie-Antoinette’s private wardrobe shows that it was made for her use. It corresponds closely to small tables made for the queen in 1781. Francois Rémond, one of the greatest bronzeworkers of the eighteenth century, is most likely to have been responsible for gilding the mounts.
Watch the film below to see the different components of the writing table
