Rare man's toilet as writing table in mahogany, mahogany veneer and ebony from the Consulate period.
This piece of furniture is distinguished not only by the quality of the materials chosen, its great finesse of execution, but also by its design.
Designed to be easily disassembled, thanks to a mechanical system of threaded rods in the sheaths, this man's toilet/writing table could easily be transported and used during campaigns.

The opening of the tray reveals a mercury mirror and a magnificent marble.
The front has three long drawers, the central one transforming into a writing desk. The latter adorned with a black morocco, gilded with small iron Greek frieze, an inkwell and a drainer in gilded bronze. 
The four legs in sheaths simulating high pedestals, joined by a curved step, are surrounded in three places by ebony. 
The whole resting on four wheels.

Very beautiful work by Master cabinetmaker François-Ignace PAPST, whose highly prized works are among the rarest. 
Stamped FJ PAPST.

Only a few similar pieces of furniture, also removable, are listed:
-one delivered by Jacob Desmalter et Cie in 1805 to  Fontainebleau ("Furniture entered under the First Empire at Fontainebleau", JP Samoyault, page 295).
- another delivered by Pierre-Benoît Marcion, the same year, also in Fontainebleau (page 294).

Very good state of conservation, entirely period. Usual slot on the tray.

Originally from Germany, Francois-Ignace PAPST received his master's degree in Paris in 1785. He settled in rue de Charonne and then transferred his workshops to rue Saint-Antoine.
Recognized for the quality of his achievements, François-Ignace PAPST receives numerous orders from the Garde Meuble de la Couronne for the châteaux of Fontainebleau, Versailles, Compiègne and Rambouillet. 
For forty years he will keep the esteem of all the governments that succeeded in France. 
Most of his furniture, chests of drawers, secretaries,   game tables, consoles..., whether in the Louis XVI, Directoire or Empire style, were designed with care and rigor, very soberly decorated moldings or simply framed by fine rods of bronze or ebony beads. 
He used rosewood and violet wood but the vast majority of his works were made of mahogany, always of excellent quality. 
It was with honor that he participated in the exhibitions of 1806 and 1809 and in 1811 he received a medal from the Society for the Encouragement of National Industry. It will cease its activities in 1822.

As with all of my art objects and furniture, I am very careful to be able to offer them to you at a very low expert estimate.
























 
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