Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Lady's Desk with Keys
(18th and 19th Centuries )
This desk bears the stamp of Evalde, who became a master ébéniste, or maker of inlaid furniture, in 1765. He was responsible for the now lost jewel cabinet that King Louis XV of France presented to Marie-Antoinette on the occasion of her marriage to the future Louis XVI in 1770. The key to this desk bears the crown of France, indicating that the piece may have been made for a member of the royal family. The doors are inlaid in colored marquetry (wood inlay). Among the images found on the surface are a writing table and navigational instruments. The desk's front drawer opens to reveal an inlaid writing surface, which slides back to reveal compartments below.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Owned by François Coty, early 20th century; Collection François Coty Sale, Paris, November 30-December 1 1936, no. 91. Acquired by La Comtesse Henri du Chastel de la Howarderie, Belgium; Christies Sale, London, December 4 1969, no. 108; purchased by Walters Art Museum (through Ronald A. Lee as agent), 1969.
Exhibitions
| 2011 | The Art of Writing Instruments from Paris to Persia. |
Geographies
France, Paris (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 41 × W: 27 × D: 15 3/4 in. (104.1 × 68.6 × 40 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase in memory of Philip B. Perlman, 1969
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
65.60