Mazarin Marquetry Desk, Louis XIV Period, 17th Century

A Louis XIV period, 17th century, marquetry Mazarin desk in walnut, ash, amaranth, rosewood, and boxwood. The top is adorned with a large central medallion, richly inlaid with arabesques, scrolls, and birds in boxwood on an amaranth ground. The medallion is surrounded by an amaranth border highlighted by small boxwood fillets that extend into interlacing patterns around the edge of the top and form spandrels at the corners. The sides feature a lozenge within an amaranth frame on an ash ground. The front has six convex drawers, arranged in two compartments, inlaid with boxwood scrolls on an amaranth ground within walnut frames. The two compartments are separated by a concave drawer and a cubbyhole opening with a richly inlaid drop-front. The base consists of eight tapered pilasters in walnut and amaranth wood, terminating in small black ball feet, joined by an X-shaped stretcher veneered in rosewood. The drawers are mounted in walnut and have their original locks, which operate with three keys. The keyhole escutcheons are in original gilt bronze. A Louis XIV period piece with harmonious proportions, beautifully crafted in both the fine marquetry and the choice of woods used.