Louis XVI-era mahogany writing desk by Etienne Avril

This upright secretary desk is crafted from mottled mahogany and oak, finished with brass and gilded bronze, and topped with a green marble top. Dating from the end of the reign of Louis XVI, this piece is the work of the cabinetmaker Étienne Avril. Its linear structure features fluted uprights resting on tapered legs. The front features five drawers and two drop-down panels concealing storage space. The drop-down panel is supported by a drawer that slides out, revealing several compartments and arched niches. The ornamentation consists of gilded bronze keyholes and handles. This piece comes from the family of the Dukes of La Rochefoucauld.