Writing cabinet

The cabinet stands on four short, splayed, square prismatic legs. The console above the front legs supports two long herms, which hold the slightly protruding, and plain top corniche. The bottom part conceals shelves, covered with a door with two wings. The middle part opens with a folding plate, revealing a large, arched compartment in the middle and two similar, though smaller ones on each side. There are three drawers above each of the small compartments. A broad drawer is placed below the top corniche. The cabinet is mounted with delicate pulls and keyhole shields.

Pear has an exceedingly smooth surface - in fact, it has almost no veining thus it was frequently stained ebony black, and polished afterwards. The piece described above is a typical and masterly example of this technique.