Lot 1173: * Bourbansais Louis XV-style lady's desk is a masterwork of French Rococo elegance

Bourbansais Louis XV-style lady’s desk is a masterwork of French Rococo elegance, meticulously hand-crafted from solid cherrywood to evoke the sophisticated grace of the 18th-century bureau de dame; taking its name from the Château de la Bourbansais in Brittany—renowned for its mid-18th-century interior refurbishments and the exceptional cabinetmaking of the master Mancel—this piece captures the “Breton Enlightenment” aesthetic that balanced Parisian luxury with regional warmth. Drawing profound inspiration from the legendary ébéniste du roi Jean-François Oeben, the piece is defined by its fluid, sinuous lines and slender cabriole legs that terminate in protective gilded bronze (ormolu) sabots. The exterior is richly embellished with finely chased ormolu mounts, including sculpted acanthus leaf corner chutes and ornate rocaille-shaped escutcheons, while its functional heart is revealed by a slanted fall-front flap. This opens to a luxurious tooled leather writing surface and a fully fitted organised interior featuring six nested drawers and open document compartments for personal correspondence. Completed with a hand-rubbed patina that highlights the warm natural grain of the cherrywood, this monumental yet intimate desk represents an heirloom-quality synthesis of practical organisation and the refined aristocratic design typical of the great Breton estates, measuring 39 inches (97 cm) in height, 49 inches (105 cm) in width, and 21 inches (56 cm) in depth.

. [Loc FR727]