17th Century Mazarin Desk

Mazarin desk in natural walnut wood, oak frames. It opens with six curved drawers. Each of the side series rests on four straight baluster legs, connected to each other by spacers, themselves joined by a double-rolled spacer. Under the belt drawer, a recessed niche, allowing space for the knees. The whole topped with a wooden top with keys. Work from the Rhône Valley or even Lyonnais, Louis XIV period, first part of the 17th century. Mazarin desks were designed by the desire for modernity of Cardinal Mazarin, minister of Louis XIV from 1642 to 1661. These desks had to be used at an angle, with one knee under the writing surface and another knee outside. This position was necessary because at the time they were members of the nobility. Now, according to etiquette, members of the nobility always carried a sword in a scabbard at their side, which would have made the use of a modern desk difficult. However, these desks were made to be used with both legs under the work surface. Length 107 cm Height 79.5 cm Depth 59.5 cm