Excellent and rare French 19th century Napoleon III ebonized black lacquer Bureau plat or writing desk made in the Régence/Louis XV style made by Benjamin Gros/Paris, ca. 1855. Raised on cabriole legs with rich gilt bronze mounting in the shape of bearded men’s masks and rocaille sabots, the scalloped shaped frieze with two lockable drawers and a central Régence style gilt bronze escutcheon with trellis decoration; the back with corresponding frieze decoration and dummy drawer fronts, the sides with gilt bronze mounts in the shape of foliage vignettes. All sides and legs with gilt bronze banding which emphazises the curvy outline of the bureau plat. Slightly protruding tabletop with profiled decorated bronze lining, corner medaillons and gold-imprinted dark red leather writing surface. Inner lid of one drawer stamped “GROS/PARIS”.
Beautiful and rare writing desk or so-called “bureau plat” made by the well-known workshop of Benjamin Gros/Paris displaying elaborately sculpted and excellently gilt bronze mounts which create an attractive contrast to the black lacquered surface.
Jean-Louis-Benjamin Gros was recorded as an ébéniste and marqueteur at 27 rue des Blancs-Manteaux until 1850 and then at 43 rue des Tournelles until 1863. He was associated with the Winckelsen firm acting as its main cabinet-maker. He was also a master ébéniste and marqueteur in his own right, based at various locations in Paris. With his son, Aristide-Henry, Gros exhibited and won an award at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris, 1855, after which Gros received many important commissions. Jean-Louis Benjamin’s son took over the business following his retirement. Gros was well known for his elaborate combination of materials within single pieces.
For Gros/Paris see: Christopher Payne, Paris furniture -the luxury market of the 19th century, Saint-Rémy-en-l’Eau, 2018, p. 382-383.
Condition: very good, min. wear consistent with age and use, min. fading, surface refinished – detailed condition report on request
