289 - ~FLAT DESK OF THE PRINCE OF JOINVILLE

~FLAT DESK OF THE PRINCE OF JOINVILLE Made of solid oak, mahogany, and mahogany veneer. The straight body, resting on claw-foot legs, features two drawers on the work side and two pull-out compartments on the sides. Empire period, attributed to François-Honoré-Georges Jacob, known as Jacob-Desmalter. Height: 72.5 cm – Width: 142.5 cm – Depth: 69 cm. The back of one of the drawers bears a fragmentary antique label with an inscription in brown ink: “Chateau d’Arc” (??). The work surfaces are covered with green leather embossed with a fine pattern. (Good overall condition, with some wear, missing pieces, and restorations). Swietenia mahagoni (II/B). Pre-Convention specimen. Provenance: – From the Château d’Arc-en-Barrois, owned by François d’Orléans (1818–1900), Prince of Joinville. – Catalog of the sale of the Count and Countess of Paris in Monaco on July 3 and 4, 1993, lot 181. – Acquired from Galerie Gérard Orts, Paris. – Private collection. Description: Our desk is comparable to an example preserved at the Grand Trianon, which is also unmarked. Delivered in 1810 by Jacob-Desmalter for the Emperor’s topographical cabinet, this desk was intended to serve as temporary furniture for the room, pending the delivery of a more prestigious “mechanical” desk. It is still housed at the Grand Trianon [Inv. No. T 516].