Lot Essay
Four patterns for related moveable 'reading or music' desks were published in W. Ince and J. Mayhew's The Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, (pl. XXVI). Its elegant flower-sprig tablets reflects the French marquetry fashion of the 1770s, and features on a number of Lady's desks or bonheur du jours, in particular to one, possibly by Messrs. Ince and Mayhew that was sold in the Sir Michael Sobell Collection in these Rooms, 23 June 1994, lot 168.