A beautiful antique French walnut freestanding writing desk of exceptional decorative quality. The shaped top is finely inlaid with floral marquetry depicting roses, foliage and trailing flowers surrounding the original black leather writing surface with gilt-tooled border.The desk stands on elegant cabriole legs and is enriched with finely cast ormolu mounts to the knees, sabot feet and frieze. The shaped serpentine apron is further decorated with ornate gilt bronze mounts which complement the rich figured walnut veneers beautifully.Designed to stand in the centre of a room, this desk is fully finished on all sides, making it ideal as a freestanding writing table, library desk or elegant centrepiece in a study, bedroom or reception room. During the 19th century such desks were used for correspondence, account keeping and writing letters, often occupying pride of place within a well-appointed home.ConditionPresented in good antique condition with age-related wear, minor...