Jacques Dubois
French, c. 1693­1763
Lean-to writing desk (secrétaire en pente)
c. 1745­49
Black, red and gold European lacquer, oak and 
pine carcase, mahogany and kingwood veneers, leather, pewter, iron, chased and gilded bronze.
92 x 78.2 x 46 cm
Restricted gift of Mrs. Henry C. Woods, and Elizabeth R. Vaughan; Wirt D. Walker, Mary L. Stevenson, Mrs. Potter Palmer and Robert Allerton, Robert Allerton Surplus, and Decorative Arts Purchase funds, 1973.385

This little desk has what is called a “fall-front lid.” When the lid or cover is opened, it rests flat for a writing surface. Inside are drawers and small shelves to store paper and pens. The legs of the desk are elegantly shaped in what is known as a cabriole, the French word for “playful leap.”