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A stepped desk in mahogany, gilt-painted glass, and gilt bronze, opening with thirteen drawers.
Originally, a clock was attached to the desk in front of the step, flanked by two medallions of Roman emperors in painted and gilded glass. Two drawers are also made of painted and gilded glass decorated with scrollwork, foliage, vine branches, and gold profiles on a blue background (perhaps reused), resting on tapered legs with gilt bronze capitals.
Empire period.
H: 115 cm, W: 132 cm, D: 68 cm
Antoine Rascalon (1842-1830) distinguished himself in the technique of painted glass (verre églomisé) in the early 19th century. He is notably responsible for the extraordinary Empire period chest of drawers from Marshal Soult, the decoration of whose glass panels stands out, as on this desk, also against a black background (Fontainebleau sale, Osenat study, March 25, 2018, lot 241). This type of motif with profile figures appears to be much more ambitious than the simple scroll panels found in particular on a series of pianofortes from the Empire period (for an example, see the one delivered in 1810 for Marie-Louise's gaming room at the Grand Trianon, preserved at the Grand Trianon).
Ref: J5W4ZGES4J