18th Century Coiffeuse or Ladies Desk

France
Rosewood
around 1760

Dimensions: H x W x D: 72 x 63 x 39 cm

:
Rare, two-part and multifunctional little table with neatly arranged grain patterns in light rosewood and dark contrasting kingwood.

In the front frame we see two rows of drawers, one above the other, with the top row consisting of one narrow and one wider drawer. The small drawer on the right is indicated as a front but cannot be opened, as there is a compartment behind it that can be operated from above.
The top of the small table has an adjustable bookend that can be locked at various angles of inclination and can be released by pressing a button on the back. This centre section of the top can also be opened in the other direction and is fitted with a mirror on the underside. The compartments that can be opened at the sides offer space for powder compacts, flacons and various make-up utensils.

The special feature of this piece of furniture is its two-part design. The corners of the base are moulded so that the short, curved legs of the top unit fit perfectly as a positive shape. In this way, the two pieces of furniture merge visually and compositionally into a single unit.
The removable part could also be used lying in bed and gave the piece of furniture the name “Table d’Accouchée”, which can best be translated as “maternity table”.

A very similar table can be found in the Old Hermitage Palace in Bayreuth, in the margravine’s bedroom, room 8, and is described in detail in the literature reference below.

Condition: In beautiful and authentic condition. The blinded mirror could also be replaced at the customer’s request.

Please refer to the following literature:
Prestel – Die Möbel der Residenz München I Die französischen Möbel des 18. Jahrhunderts ab S. 145