French Faience Miniature Desk with Painted Scenes and Intriguing Signature

Live Auction

15" (38 cm.) The softpaste lady's desk with two cabinets doors, and a single drawer is richly decorated with romantic scenes in the 18th century style, and edged with bronze-colored and cream paint, and accented with gold; the doors and drawers with metal cast hinges and pulls. Gilt lettering on the back reads "Offert par le Marquis de Villette a la Princess de Lamballe", and the maker's mark appears on the underside. Generally excellent, there is some minor professional restoration that is virtually imperceptible. French, late 19th century.