The folding top inlaid in contrasting colors of wood with floral and foliage decoration. Carved, folding legs support a flat work surface and a backboard, both decorated with inlaid soft-wood marquetry of flowers, the backboard including two small fold-down shelves to support inkwell, pens, etc. The work surface and backboard are cut rectangularly, however, the flat surface has a symmetrically curved cuts on the edge. The legs are carved with extreme detail including two decorative knobs on the top of the legs.

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See more objects with the tag furniture, flowers, floral, collapsible, domestic interiors, foliage, decorative, writing, desks, carved, folded, marquetry, finials.

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Object Timeline

1905	Work on this object ended.
2013	We acquired this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2015	We photographed this object.
2019	We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Folding Desk (France)

This is a Folding desk. It was designed by Emile Gallé and manufactured by Etablissement Gallé. It is dated ca. 1900 and we acquired it in 2013. Its medium is various woods. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

This folding desk and the side chair nearby are examples of French art nouveau furniture sold to American shoppers at Chicago’s department store Marshall Field & Co. Gallé opened a small woodworking shop in 1884–85 where these pieces were created. The desk showcases Gallé’s inlay work and passion for nature,
while also highlighting the piece’s utility, shown by two small folddown shelves to support inkwell and pens.

It is credited Gift of Harry C. Sigman.

Autofold Cane (USA)
rubber, elastic cord, aluminum, iron, reflective tape.
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, 306619.10.
14.2012.9

Staircase Model (France)
mahogany, ebony, pear or sycamore, oak; biscuit porcelain.
Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
2007-45-12

Folding Chair (USA)
carved, joined and turned wood or mahogany, woven wool upholstery, metal tacks.
Gift of Marilyn Friedman.
2000-74-1

Our curators have highlighted 4 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

Bud Vase Vase
mold-blown and acid-cut cameo glass.
Gift of Jacqueline Rea in memory of Dr. Robert Roux-Delimal.
1974-105-1

This glossy white porcelain vase is shaped like a squared bottle with curving handles at each side, arcing out from the shoulders to join the vase near the top of the long, narrow neck. The line of the handle and side is a smooth S curve. Painted on the front and side are large orange-brown lilies, one on each side, with muted green-brown foliage. Smaller white and yellow daisies are painted at the base of the lilies, growing up from the straight bottom edges of the vase.

Two-Handled Vase Vase
porcelain, vitreous enamel.
Gift of Arthur Altschul.
1994-117-3

A darker wood chair with mustard yellow cushion sits diagonally towards the viewer. The chair has a rounded back rail, upholstered yellow seat, and rounded seat frame. Four tapered legs, of which frontal legs emulate natural plant-like forms in engraving at top. Floral and leaf-like motif on the seat back.

Side Chair (France)
pearwood, various woods (marquetry), upholstery (replaced).
Gift of Mrs. Jefferson Patterson.
1979-54-1

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 99.1 x 61.6 x 52.1 cm (39 in. x 24 1/4 in. x 20 1/2 in.)

It has the following markings

On work surface; incised signature "Emile Galle Nancy" with a large "V" separating the components of the name, with "E" and "G" separated by a Cross of Lorraine.

Cite this object as

Folding Desk (France); Designed by Emile Gallé (French, 1846–1904); Manufactured by Etablissement Gallé; various woods; H x W x D: 99.1 x 61.6 x 52.1 cm (39 in. x 24 1/4 in. x 20 1/2 in.); Gift of Harry C. Sigman; 2013-21-5

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Botanical Expressions.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/5yUbk/
Accession Number 2013-21-5
Object ID 51685095