valve desk - Transition - Amboyna, Brass, Walnut - 1770-1780

An 18th century flap desk manufactured during the late Louis XV/Transition period around 1770-1780. Pieces of furniture from this short style period are still completely Louis XV in design, but the symmetry and details in carving and/or the fittings already indicate the new fashion of the Louis XVI style. The desk is made of oak and glued at the front with the still precious Amboyna veneer. This is not a distinct type of wood, but the common name for the burr veneer of the Padauk species and is derived from the island of Ambon, where this wood was a popular product for international trade. This Amboyna veneer has a very messy & finely rusted drawing and an intensely deep warm gold orange colour! The sides and interior are, as usual with desks from this period, glued with (wildly flamed) walnut veneer. The interior consists of; six different dovetailed drawers with refined brass knobs, one behind the centrally placed door, a so-called "cellar" and two secret compartments in the form of books. The door’s entrance is original, the lock has been replaced once and has a single piping of holly or maple. The flap, with a strong quarter-round Padauk edge, has warped a bit over the centuries, so it probably didn't close well anymore. For this, the lock was once replaced and a brass locking plate/eye was made so that the desk could be closed again. The brass flap hinges with inlaid plates are original and the hinges have once been replaced. The writing section is lined with green felt. The elegantly designed bent base cabinet has horizontal cracks because the underlying blind wood has shrunk and this was restored in the past. In the lower cabinet there are three dovetail drawers with semicircular mouldings around the front. The drawers have several 18th century locks, but work with the same key. The cast brass entrances, handles and feet have remnants of the original gilding. And are decorated, including with classic vases, garlands, fabric festoons, flower & leaf motifs, ram’s - bull’s heads, birds, etc. The entire flap desk has a beautiful deep rich warm gold orange colour, authentic patina and beautiful silk gloss from the wax finish.