Louis XV style tulipwood desk with cast bronze details
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.
The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.
It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture. - Serpentine - Resembling a serpent, in the form of an elongated 'S'. A serpentine front is similar to a bow front, except that the curve is shallow at each end, swelling towards the middle. The term presumably derives from its similarity to a moving snake or serpent. Serpentine fronts are usually veneered, with the carcase either being cut and shaped from a solid piece of timber, or built in the 'brick' method.
- Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
- Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A fine French kingwood and ormolu mounted bureau plat, 19th century, the rectangular desk with a dark green tooled leather writing surface, three decorated frieze drawers to the shaped apron with foliate swing handles and well cast figural mounts, faux dra
A transitional style kingwood parquetry desk, circa 1900, with a finely inlaid lattice weave top enclosing a deep cross banded border, the three frieze drawers and sides of similar decoration, delicate bell flower inlay to the canted corners above gently t
French Louis XV style floral marquetry ladies desk, fitted with bronze mounts, approx 98 cm high, 86 cm wide, 51 cm deep
A fine French Louis XV style kingwood three drawer bureau plat with tooled leather top. 140 cm high, 76 cm wide, 80 cm deep.