Transformation Desk in Burgundy

Very rare antique desk or secretary, so-called bureau à transformation “à la bourgogne” in louis xv style.

france
walnut
19th century

dimensions: h x w x d: 79 x 70 x 50 cm, working height 78 cm

:
a chest of drawers-like piece of furniture standing on curved legs with fine gilded fittings in the louis xv style.
the walnut veneered piece of furniture shows exciting grain patterns, neatly laid, especially on the closed top panel.
if we fold down the front part of the top panel, we see a work surface covered in black leather, which is supported at the front by the drawer underneath.
the rear part of the top panel can now be pulled out upwards and locked in place. This reveals a piece of furniture equipped with nine drawers. In just a few simple steps, a chest of drawers has been transformed into a small ladies’ secretary.

the development of the “bureau à la bourgogne” furniture type can be traced back to jean-françois oeben in the middle of the 18th century.
as louis xv’s eldest grandson, the duke of burgundy, was no longer able to walk after a fall from his horse, jean-françois oeben, who had been appointed the king’s ebenist in 1754, delivered several pieces of mechanical furniture to the court. This included a table with an extendable secretary like this piece of furniture.

the piece of furniture on offer here was created in the style of louis xv in the second half of the 19th century.
the table can be placed anywhere in the room as it is also beautifully finished on the back.

you can find objects comparable in function in the specialist literature:
“les meubles à transformation et à secret – 1974 – page 37”
“die möbel der residenz ansbach – 1999 page 246”