French 19th Century Louis XV Style Napoleon III Period Desk/Writing Table

A stunning and extremely high-quality French 19th century Louis XV st. Napoleon III period tortoiseshell, ormolu, and brass inlaid desk signed Caillaux. The most impressive desk is raised by elegant cabriole legs with fine-fitted ormolu foliate sabots and striking intertwined foliate brass inlays on a tortoiseshell background. Graceful chutes lead up each leg to sensational richly chased corner mounts of beautiful and finely detailed maidens with large scrolled acanthus leaf designs. The scalloped-shaped frieze displays three mechanical drawers each opened by pushing a hidden button at the underside. Each drawer is decorated with exceptionally inlaid scrolled foliate brass inlaid movements set on an outstanding tortoiseshell background framed within a beautiful foliate ormolu border. The central drawer, each side, and back are decorated in the same manner and display richly chased ormolu reserves of Bacchus amidst intricately detailed grape clusters and grape leaves. The superb top displays wonderfully executed brass inlaid designs with luxuriant foliate scrolls and floral movements. Monkeys and dragons play while centering an exceptional central chariot pulled by four horses with a man holding a lyre in the chariot. A most impressive deeply chased ormolu band extends along the border with most decorative scrolled foliate movements and seashells set on a fine hammered background.