Writing table (bureau plat) 1745 - 1755

This writing table, or bureau plat, was made by Bernard II van Risenburgh, probably in Paris, in the mid-18th century. It’s made of wood, bronze, and leather, all carefully chosen and combined. Look closely, and you’ll see the table is veneered with kingwood, a dark, dense material imported from Brazil, highly prized for its rich color and fine grain. The gilt bronze mounts – those gilded decorative elements – are not just for show; they protect the delicate edges of the table and add visual weight. The tooled leather on the writing surface is another tactile contrast. But this isn't just about beautiful materials; it’s also about labor. The making of this table involved many specialized craftspeople: cabinetmakers, bronze casters, and gilders, all working to create a single, harmonious object. Think about the social context here. This was an object made for a very wealthy person, who would have taken for granted both the object’s beauty and the enormous amount of work involved in its production. Thinking about process, materiality and labor allows us to see this table not just as a status symbol, but as a complex intersection of craft, design, and social history.