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Writing table

Maker (French, died 1772)
Additional Title(s)
  • Bureau Plat
  • Library Table
ClassificationsDECORATIVE ARTS
Dateca. 1765 with mid 19th Century alterations
Mediumoak and fir or pine carcase veneered with tulipwood; porcelain plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; iron and brass hardware; modern leather top
Dimensions32 5/8 x 63 3/4 x 32 in. (82.9 x 161.9 x 81.3 cm.)
SignedSignature stamped on both the right and left sides of the underside of the removable top: 'JOSEPH' with a fleur de lys at either end. Plaques: TEXT seven of the eleven porcelain plaques removed in the 1974 conservation were signed on the reverse in black ink 'Max'.
MarkingsMarks on the woodwork: Stamped on both the right and left sides of the underside of the top: JOSEPH, with a fleur-de-lys at either end. A typewritten paper label inside the proper left drawer: "27764 / An old French 18th century. Writing / Table. Inlaid with 28 old Sevres Plaques / decorated with flowers on white ground / and turquoise blue borders. Finely / chased ormolu mounts. Signed "Joseph."/ Louis XV period (1714-1774)." Duveen label: 27764. Marks on the twenty-eight porcelain plaques: Seven of the eleven plaques removed for examination were signed on the reverse in black ink: Max.
Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. The Arabella D. Huntington Memorial Art Collection.
Status
On view
Object number27.137
Desk
Joseph Baumhauer
ca. 1763
Object number: 27.132
Writing Desk
Charles Cressent
1723-1730
Object number: 27.18
Fall-front Secretary
Bernard Molitor
secretary: 1812-1816; plaques: center:1783, left:1774, right:1777
Object number: 27.22
Photography © 2015 Fredrik Nilsen
Martin Carlin
1781
Object number: 27.20
Photography © 2015 Fredrik Nilsen
Adam Weisweiler
1785
Object number: 27.21
Writing desk
Martin Carlin
ca. 1770
Object number: 27.121
Mechanical Writing Table
Jean-François Oeben
1755-1765
Object number: 27.185
Writing desk
Martin Carlin
ca. 1771
Object number: 27.122
Writing Desk
André-Charles Boulle the elder
1700-1705, with later alterations
Object number: 25.12
Writing Table
Bernard Molitor
ca.1788-1796
Object number: 16.12
Writing Desk
Etienne Doirat
1720-1732
Object number: 11.27
Photography © 2015 Fredrik Nilsen
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory
1767-1770
Object number: 27.128