LOUIS XVI PERIOD CYLINDER DESK Attributed to Claude-Charles Saunier In satin-finish and satin-finish veneer decorated on all sides, with chased and gilt bronze ornamentation, the cylinder opening with a flap revealing a writing desk, three drawers and two compartments, two sliding side shelves, the waist opening with four drawers, resting on eight sheathed legs; small accidents and missing parts. Dimensions (closed) : H. 115 cm (45 ¼ in.) l. 191.5 cm (75 ½ in.) P. 95 cm (37 ½ in.) A Louis XVI gilt-bronze mounted and satinwood cylinder desk, attributed to Claude-Charles Saunier Stylistically dating from 1775-1780, this very large cylinder desk is one of the most accomplished examples of this new type of writing desk, which was created in the 1760s by Jean-François Oeben and became very popular because of its practicality. With its resolutely architectural lines veneered in the finest satin-finish and embellished with sober, finely chased bronze ornaments, it can be compared with the production of cylinder desks by the best cabinet-makers of the Louis XVI period, such as Claude-Charles Saunier. The rare radiant sun motif on the cylinder of our example can be found on a cylinder desk stamped by Saunier and illustrated in P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe siècle, Les Éditions de L'Amateur, Paris, 1999, p.821. We should also mention that the same lock escutcheons and bronze drop adorn the upper part of the legs in a cylinder desk stamped by Jean Caumont and sold at Sotheby's Paris on 4 April 2023, lot 79.