Name/Title
DeskContext
By the southwest window of the Neill-Cochran House Museum’s French Parlor sits a large, fruitwood, Louis XV style 'bureau de dame,’ or lady’s writing desk.
The desk is of French provenance, built ca. 1870. It features two cupboards, a mirrored niche, and an adjustable writing surface tucked in the central drawer. It is decorated with gilt bronze trim, gilt bronze statuettes, and 46 Sevres-style porcelain medallions. In the mirrored niche sits an ivory sculpture on a wood pedestal depicting the goddess Flora, the allegorical personification of Spring.
Louis XV style furniture is characterized by curved forms, lightness, and comfort, in contrast to the larger, boxier furniture of the Louis XIV style. It employs marquetry, exotic woods, gilt trim, and ivory or mother of pearl.
This style represents a 19th c. revival of French 18th c. design known as the Rococo Revival. Rococo Revival furniture was very popular in the United States during the 1800s.
This desk was gifted to the Neill-Cochran House Museum by Mrs. Leonidas T. Barrow. You can see it, and all of the wonderful artifacts at the NCHM, Wed-Sun, 11-4pm.
French, ca. 1870. Louis XV style large fruitwood bureau de dame, or lady's writing desk with two cupboards, mirrored niche, and adjustable writing surface. Decorated with 46 Sevres style porcelain medallions.
Gift of Mrs. Leonidas T. Barrow.Acquisition
Accession
1961.01Source or Donor
Mrs. Leonidas T. Barrow (Laura Thomson)Acquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
In Mem of donor's mother, Laura Driscoll Thomson (Mrs. Henry D) of San Antonio