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Bureau
French, 1690-1695
oak, walnut, brass, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl,
pewter, copper, and painted horn
The Royal Collection |
The Duchesse de Retz et de Lesdiguières was known for her exquisite tastes and her eccentric behavior. This exquisite little bureau of oak, walnut, brass, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, pewter, copper, and painted horn bears the coat of arms of The Duchesse and was made specifically for her. The Duchesse enjoyed the fine workmanship of the bureau with its elaborate decoration and intricately patterned sections of paint and inlay.
Upon the death of The Duchesse, this little jewel was acquired by King George III as a gift for his wife, Queen Charlotte, who had a particular fondness for French furnishings. It just goes to show that even the most eccentric of us can have exceptional taste.
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