Frédéric Schmit B. 1856 A fine Louis XV style gilt-bronze mounted kingwood and satiné bureau plat and cartonnier Paris, late 19th century

the frieze fitted with three drawers, the cartonnier with eight gilt-tooled brown leather lined drawers

D. Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Français du XIX Siècle, Les Éditions de l’Amateur, Paris, 2000, p. 572

Overall in good condition and presentation. The gilding of the bronze mounts is original and show very slight tarnishing and wear in few places. Light scratches to leather top. Impressive desk due to its design and scale.
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Frédéric Schmit was one of the main French cabinet-makers of the second half of of the 19th century, active in Paris at the Rue de Charonne starting in 1856. He received Gold Medals at the 1878 and 1889 Expositions Universelles in Paris.

The 'Venus' shell cartouches at either end of this bureau plat, as well as the hermed busts of heroic figures, recall ancient virtue. Similar busts of Mars, god of war and peace, and Minerva, goddess of the Arts and Peace, have been attributed to Charles Cressent (d.1768) and are depicted on a bureau sold in 1788 from the duc of Richelieu's collection. (see A. Pradère, French Furniture Makers, London, 1989, p. 131).

A similar desk, but without its cartonnier sold Christie's London, February 24, 2005, lot 188 for £ 57,600