mid-nineteenth century office writing desk In chased gilt bronze. The cover is decorated with a butterfly resting on a chased rosette of flowers. Inside: two white porcelain inkwells with gilded edges and a gilded hourglass. The body is decorated around the rim with a series of openwork leaves, followed by a series of small flowers and gadroons. Foot and base decorated with stylised laurel leaves. H. 17 cm B.E. Origin : Former Napoleonic collection of the Prince's Palace of Monaco (2nd sale, lot 375) A desk inkpot, from the mid-19th C.