Kingwood Bureau-Plat
This ormolu-mounted bureau-plat is made in the style of Louis XV. Bureau plats, were a flat writing desk that developed in France during the reign of Louis XV (1715-1774). It has a green leather-lined top, with giltmetal border above three frieze drawers on cabriole legs. The gilt-bronze foliate mounts (especially the corner mounts running down the legs and the drawer pulls with leafy scrolls) are typical of high-quality Parisian work of the 1750s–1770s. The cabriole legs (rather than later straight, tapering legs of the Louis XVI period) point towards mid-18th century. The piece could be a product of many eminent ébénistes working under guild restrictions in Paris who specialised in such desks, such as Jacques Dubois, Charles Cressent and Bernard II van Risenburgh (BVRB). It was later mounted, probably in the 19th century, with ormolu lockplates, handles, angle-plates, hips and sabots cast and chased with satyr-masks and other typical rococo motifs.
Kingwood and Marquetry Vitrine Table
This piece is a vitrine table, which corporates a glass-enclosed display area, allowing objects to be viewed. These vitrines were used in drawing rooms and salons, displaying luxury or precious items under glass. It is made of Kingwood and contains marquetry, which is a decorative technique that creates patterns by inlaying thin, contrasting pieces of wood. It is in a Louis Philippe style, with a false drawer, mounted in cast and chased ormolu, typical of high-end French furniture and English emulations. The cabriole legs and serpentine apron are classic Rococo features. Having such a table at Raby Castle fitted the Victorian fashion for ‘French taste’, associated with high social standing.