STORY BEHIND MARIE ANTOINETTE DESK
THE MARIE ANTOINETTE? Yes. She wrote at this desk at Petit Trianon, the small chateau in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.
WHO MADE IT? Cabinet maker Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806). WHAT’S INSIDE? A silvered drawer for writing equipment and a writing slide.
WHERE IS IT NOW? In the Tower Drawing Room at Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury, Bucks. WHY THERE? It was bought by Ferdinand de Rothschild for £6,000 in 1882 — a huge sum at the time. Waddesdon was built for him in the 1870s to showcase his collection of art and antiques. DETAILS: Visit Waddesdon in May for Open Furniture Month when the desk, alongside other pieces, will be on view, waddesdon.org.uk