How do I identify Louis XV style?

Louis XV style furniture relies on asymmetrical curves, cabriole legs and naturalistic scrollwork. The overall silhouette avoids straight lines in favour of flowing contours. Ormolu mounts on these pieces typically echo plant forms and organic motifs.

Are these desks finished on the back?

Freestanding bureau plat and writing tables are finished on all sides so they can float in open spaces. The rear mimics the front drawer arrangement. This all-around finish distinguishes them from standard writing desks meant for placement against walls.

What wood is kingwood?

Kingwood is a dense tropical timber with a dark violet-brown colour marked by lighter golden stripes. Cabinet makers valued it for high-end veneered surfaces. It appears frequently on nineteenth-century revival desks alongside ormolu mounts.