Aesthetic movement desk by famous French designer Gabriel Viadot, Paris.

A 19th century French "Japonaise" twin pedestal writing table desk. Predominantly made in stained sycamore but also numerous other exotic woods typical of Viadot's work. This magnificent desk has a  shaped altar top with gallery section set with drawers and shelves with carved detailing, mother of pearl inlay, carved dragon to back and coin handles. The top inlaid with shibayama motifs. Central kneehole recess flanked by a pedestal of drawers having further motifs set with bronze turtle handles. All raised on stepped paw feet. Desk features single key locking all the drawers mechanism.

Gabriel Viardot (1830-1906) was a famous Parisian cabinetmaker specializing in the production of “Chinese-Japanese genre” furniture in the last third of the 19th century

He started his career as a wood sculptor in 1849, when he sent some naturalistic décor furniture pieces to the horticultural exposition. He then became the head of a small team of sculptors when he was only 19 years old. In 1860 he created his own workshop, “G. Viardot” at 5 Grand-Chantier, Paris and became head of the family business which he kept until 1872. He decided to devote himself to “Chinese-Japanese style furniture”, which he was able to see predominately at the World's Fair of 1867. At this same exposition, Viardot was awarded four medals. It’s with this production that he was awarded a silver medal at the World's Fair of 1878. His furniture was produced thanks to lacquered and carved panels sent directly from China or Japan and decorated with mother of pearl inlays from Tonkin. He enlivened his furniture with bronze decorations, of which he made all the designs by hand.

Over the course of the years, his success only continued to grow, particularly at the exhibitions of Nice and the 8th exhibition of the Central Union of Decorative Arts in 1884. In 1885, he participated in the World Exhibition of Antwerp where he obtained a gold medal. At this time, the shop employed 90 – 100 workers, sculptors or cabinetmakers, a lot of who were educated directly by Gabriel Viardot. Following this exhibition, Gabriel Viardot was promoted to the rank of Knight in the Legion of Honor (December 29 1885). The highest honour possible for a cabinet maker in France. In 1889, he was at the World Exhibition that took place in Paris and awarded a gold medal. He obtained the same award at the World's Fair of 1900.