This escritoire (writing desk) is a beautiful French piece.  It's made of satinwood . Satinwood, also known as yellow wood, was a very expensive tropical hardwood with a glossy finish. It was used in fine cabinetwork and decorative veneers. During the late 18th and 19th centuries, satinwood was in vogue. Its light tones provided a perfect canvas for veneers or painting. Native to India, Sri Lanka and parts of the Caribbean, it is still available today as a luxury wood item.

 

The writing desk also has gold bronze and Sevres porcelain plaques.Sèvres plaques (flat, painted porcelain plates) were first produced by the Sèvres Manufactory in France in the late 1750s. They were originally intended to decorate furniture.