Mechanical Desk with Floral Marquetry stamped Jean-Baptiste Tuart

Jean-Baptiste Tuart Important Mechanical Desk with Floral Marquetry, Louis XV Period

This rare and exceptional mechanical transformable desk, distinguished by its stamp and provenance, features a sliding upper section adorned with delicate floral marquetry, framed in a heart shape, crafted from violet wood, rosewood, amaranth, poplar, and green-stained boxwood veneers.

By sliding the upper section, two large secret compartments in mahogany, two small side drawers, and a beautifully decorated linden leather with gilded roulette patterns are revealed. The sides, with rosewood grain marquetry framed in violet wood, also house two side drawers. The front opens to three drawers and displays similar marquetry. The desk stands on elegantly curved legs.

This piece is stamped by Jean-Baptiste Tuart, who became a Master in 1741, and bears the mark of the Parisian Cabinetmakers' Guild (JME). Under a crossbeam, a stencil mark, CT96322, accompanied by a barely visible, almost erased crown, can be seen. This mark (currently under verification) suggests that this beautiful desk was part of the Grand Trianon (Château de Versailles) inventory in the 19th century.

Dimensions:
Height: 33.46 inches
Length: 50.79 inches
Depth: 30.31 inches
Depth when open: 45.67 inches
Height when open: 28.35 inches

Condition:
The desk has been restored and is in very good condition. The leather has been replaced.

Biography:
Jean-Baptiste Tuart, a cabinetmaker who became a master on February 1, 1741, set up his workshop in the cloister of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois. From 1744 to 1753, he supplied works in exotic woods to the administration of the Menus-Plaisirs. The date of the end of his activity remains uncertain, as his son, bearing the same name and sharing the same stamp, was a renowned furniture and porcelain merchant.
Recognized for his work and production of Louis XV furniture in veneer and floral marquetry, Jean-Baptiste Tuart embodies classical elegance, combining harmonious forms with refined floral marquetry. His work is close to that of his colleague Léonard Boudin, with whom he regularly collaborated. The Louis XV period is illustrated by furniture of great finesse, as evidenced by this fall-front secretary with rounded cut corners and a decoration of flower bouquets in reserves.