This is a beautiful antique French rosewood secretaire chest with fabulous floral marquetry decorations, circa 1860 in date. The piece was skillfully crafted in rosewood and features lovely ormolu mounts with original locks and a key. The secretaire with two small drawers and one long one is housed in the first drawer. There are three additional long drawers all with original locks and handles which provide plenty of storage. The chest has also original keys. It is surmounted with a rosso marble top, and stands on elegant legs with pierced ormolu mounts. It is a lovely piece which would look lovely in a bedroom or a dressing room. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 100.5 x Width 51.5 x Depth 37 Dimensions in inches: Height 3 feet, 4 inches x Width 1 foot, 8 inches x Depth 1 foot, 3 inches Ormolu (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'. The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object. Rosewood is a rich warm reddish brown wood that has a distinct grain with dark brown and black outlining. One variety of Rosewood can vary significantly from another even though it is of the same species. These Rosewoods, native of India, South East Asia and Brazil, were dense and awkward to work with. It was renowned for quickly bluntening cutting tools and visibly darkening in colour when over prepared. The Brazilian species of Rosewood was by far the most beautifully figured and therefore it became the most sought after and rare. This was the wood of choice for the great box makers, David and Thomas Edwards who used it to veneer some of their finest pieces. Our reference: 06501 Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse. Shipping: We ship worldwide and deliver to Mainland UK addresses free of charge. A shipping cost to all other destinations must be requested prior to purchase. To request a shipping quote for the items in your cart, please click HERE. Delivery and return policy: We require that someone be home on the agreed delivery day if applicable, otherwise a redelivery fee will apply. In accordance with Distance Selling Regulations, we offer a 14-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the item. The item must be returned in its original packaging and condition. Unless the item is not as described in a material way, the buyer is responsible for return shipping expenses. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the European Union.