Exceptional! Antique French Napoleon III Era 12.5" Ecritoire Writer's Chest, Box, Lap Desk, Boulle

Exquisite antique French Napoleon III era 12.5" wide writer's box, lap desk or "ecritoire" (yes, that's how it's spelled in France) with richly burled walnut veneers, ebony, kingwood & brass edgings, boulle style cartouche in brass & mother of pearl with "M.D." monogram, opulent burled or birdseye table interior, facet cut glass inkwell pair and all in fabulous condition! A superb old beauty that came directly to us from France and hails from the Napoleon III era (c. 1850-70, approximately), a period of highest aesthetic in boxes and chests, caskets, rich with the skills of Master ebenistes, (ebaniste) work. Those are the furniture and cabinetry tradesmen in France and the era brought forth a myriad of the finest old boxes. I've been a box collector from way way back, and these rise above all in my opinion. The boulle cartouche is just beautiful in this one, set with inlays of mother of pearl against the marquetry of brass and the veneers of beautifully contrasted old hardwoods