Louis XVI Powder Box/Writing Table

A dressing table, sometimes called a powder table, can be defined as a bathroom cabinet in the shape of a table or a small desk with drawers.

It was around 1730, a little after the commode, that this new type of furniture appeared in French furniture, often richly inlaid or veneered with precious woods.

This rather unusual powder box has the unique feature of also serving as a desk, or at least a writing table. Its four legs are made of solid mahogany, and the stretchers are also veneered in mahogany. All four surfaces are adorned with ogee moldings in wood and brass. The lock and key are clover-shaped, allowing us to date this piece to the late 18th century. The powder box opens with a central drawer above which are two pull-out slides, still lined with their original leather. Its gray Saint-Anne marble top is surrounded by a gallery of openwork lozenges.

Upon arrival at the workshop, this piece of furniture exhibited a high level of moisture due to prolonged storage in a cellar. All the veneer was peeling away on its own. Simply sliding a blade underneath the veneer caused it to detach. All the joints were completely unstable, and the tabletop planks were warped and showed signs of dampness. There were some chips in the veneer and missing pieces of the wood and brass moldings. The oak back was missing.

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The restoration therefore consisted of re-gluing everything. This step was carried out using hot glue under vacuum for the crossbeams. The oak back was restored and the piece of furniture was re-glued with fish glue. Then, the drawer was adjusted by reloading the runners and slides, as well as the underside of the drawer sides, to ensure it functions perfectly.

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After a light stripping, this powdery surface was revarnished with a pad, and the bronzes, once cleaned and partially regilded, were put back in place.

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To see previous restorations : https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/

You can find this piece of furniture at Antequities Stéphane Guin