Gallery - Emile Gallé Exceptional Desk “Forest Lorraine”

A remarkable slant-front desk in molded and carved solid walnut. It opens with a drawer in the frieze, three drawers on the stepped front, and a drop-front. It is inlaid on all sides; the decorations, which gave the desk its name, depict landscapes and the endemic flora of Lorraine, so dear to Gallé. The original handles, keys, knobs, and keyhole escutcheons are in patinated bronze, and the locks and compasses are chased with bee and honeycomb motifs. The quality of the materials used, the attention to detail, the craftsmanship, and the condition of this piece make it a truly exceptional example. This model was presented by Gallé at the 1900 Universal Exhibition. A similar desk is in the collections of the Musée d'Orsay; museum quality!