Object Description
A 19th century bonheur du jour writing cabinet or small lady’s secre´taire in the form of a casket, with a pagoda shaped top and a falldrop front. Opening the front reveals a writing surface and bringing to light two small drawers, one long drawer and a shelf. Supported by a plinth drawer on four cabriole legs with gilt-bronze sabots. The front of the secrétaire is set with an elaborate marquetry displaying an oval medaillon featuring musical instruments and extensive scrollwork. The secrétaire is surmounted with a finely chased gilt-bronze gallery and gilt-bronze mounts on the canted corners featuring ram’s heads. This item is an example of the significance of writing in 19th century France.