Thuya Burl Bureau Plat, Italy, circa 1900

Bureau plat veneered in thuya burl, raised on eight tapered square legs with brass sabots and fitted with five drawers. The writing surface is covered in cognac-colored leather and features pull-out side slides, extending the desk to an overall length of 251.5 cm (99 in). Particularly notable are the gilt bronze mounts in the form of dragonflies and butterflies adorning the drawer fronts and repeated on the reverse. The shallow drawer between the legs is inlaid with a figural mythological scene. The desk has been carefully restored and hand-polished. The drawers retain fitted interiors with lockable compartments and removable boxes.