19th Century French Louis XV Style Marquetry Bonheur-du-Jour, Circa 1870

A decorative late 19th century French Louis XV style marquetry bonheur-du-jour, dating to circa 1870. Of elegant serpentine form, the desk is finely decorated throughout with floral marquetry and line inlay, the fall front centred by an attractive arrangement of flowers and foliage. The raised superstructure is fitted with two small drawers beneath a three-quarter pierced brass gallery. The fall front opens to reveal a fitted interior with small drawers and compartments and a tooled leather writing surface. The shaped frieze is further embellished with floral marquetry, the whole raised on four slender cabriole legs terminating in decorative gilt-metal sabots. A particularly pretty and useful piece of French furniture, its relatively compact proportions making it ideal as a writing desk, occasional desk or decorative feature in a bedroom or sitting room. French, circa 1870. There is some age-related wear, fading and marks to the timber and writing surface, consistent with its age and use.