Small French Desk with Bronze Mounts, 19th Century

This is a glorious, petite, French lady's desk from France, with exquisite marquetry details and undulating, bombé forms. The front of the desk features three small drawers and a closed, sloped top on which flowers and scrolls surround the figure of a lion holding a heraldic shield, the whole on a background of burl wood surrounded by striated, satin wood veneers. The lid is topped by a very intricate escutcheon and original key, both in bronze.
The interior opens to reveal six lovely, graduated drawers and an open top shelf. The interior side of the desk top features more gorgeous marquetry including a figured banner on which is inscribed "Par Privilege Du Roi" (By Favour of the King)  alongside two crenelated towers.
On cabriole legs, each with bronze mounts.
Under one of the desk drawers on the right hand side is an original label from the manufacturer, A Monourie & Cie. No date.
Virtually every surface of this desk, including the back, is gently rounded, giving it a unique and beautiful volume. It is perfect as an accent piece in any room, and a wonderful place in which to store jewelry or special mementos.