Superb Antique French Napoléon III Writer's Slope, Ecritoire, 1830-50s Boulle Necessaire
Escrit, the French word for 'to write' becomes ecritoire when referring to the beautiful tabletop or laptop writer's folding desk shown. What is a writer's slope if you're in England has such an elegant name in France. One sees that same elegance in the boulle work, general design, and the true masterpieces by the early to mid-1800s French cabinetry makers who made these. This one is in a distinctive French manner known as 'boulle', which is after the original designer who created the brass marquetry, André-Charles Boulle (11 November 1642 – 29 February 1732). This particular ecritoire came to us from a private estate in France, where its very gentile but aging owner discloses it has been in his family for 100 years, so purchased as an antique then, and treasured through many generations in their chateau. It survives beautifully, as you can see, and is large at 13" side to side. Full measurements are noted on the photos. Very good to excellent condition, dates c. 1830-60, is not missin