What is a bureau plat?

A bureau plat is a flat-topped writing table designed to stand free in the middle of a room rather than against a wall. These tables typically feature three frieze drawers and a leather-lined writing surface. In period interiors, they served as principal desks for correspondence and administration, offering finished decoration on all four sides.

How do I identify Louis XV style?

Louis XV style furniture is defined by asymmetrical curves, serpentine lines, and the absence of straight architectural members. Cabriole legs ending in scroll feet and floral marquetry motifs are prominent characteristics. This aesthetic experienced a major revival during the nineteenth century, which accounts for many pieces produced in this manner.

What woods were used?

Cabinetmakers employed exotic and domestic hardwoods including rosewood, kingwood, walnut, satinwood, and fruitwood. These timbers provided the natural colour variations required to shade floral marquetry panels. Carcass frames beneath the veneers were commonly constructed from sturdier secondary timbers like oak.