Archaeodendrometrical study of the Bureau 372-1901 from the Victoria and Albert Museum (London - UK)
Résumé
The following report describes the archaeodendrometrical study undertaken on the Victoria and Albert Museum’s writing desk 372-1901. Generally known as ‘bureau Mazarin’ , this peculiarly shaped desk has eight legs grouped in two sets of four, which are joined by an X-shape stretcher and two banks of three drawers flanking a central drawer and an inset cupboard door. Entirely veneered with marquetry of brass, pewter, ebony, ivory, mother-of-pearl, turtle shell or horn, the bureau was constructed with European silver fir (Abies alba) and walnut (Juglans regia) . This sumptuous desk, is a fine example of the hight quality craftsmanship of French cabinet-makers at the turn of the 18th century .