Bureau Mazarin
Encyclopedia
The bureau Mazarin is a 17th century desk
form named more or less in memory of Cardinal Mazarin, regent of France
from 1642 to 1661. It is the earliest predecessor of the pedestal desk
and differs from it by having only two tiers of drawers or three tiers of rather small drawers under the desktop surface, followed by eight legs supporting the whole. Also, the bureau Mazarin has cross braces between the legs, forming two Xs or two Hs on each side.
Many bureaux Mazarin are kneehole desks, in that they are meant to be used sideways, with one knee only beneath the work surface. They were designed in an age where only the nobility
or those who followed its customs closely, could afford to have such desks made. Members of the nobility often wore a ceremonial or practical sword
, which was forever in the way. It was thus easier to use a desk sideways, with only one knee under it. The rest of the space next to the knee often served as a lockable storage space.
As was often the case with many desks of the period, some bureaux Mazarin were used as dressing tables instead of serving as desks, or were used for both functions.
Most of them were built in an ornate style which looks like a nightmare to keep clean. As with the Kunstschrank of the lands of the Holy Roman Empire
, the desk was sometimes more of a status symbol than a useful piece of furniture.
Note that the very rough images drawn up originally to illustrate this article show none of the extremely ornate decorations frequently applied to the front and sides of such a bureau. They were meant only to give an idea of the form.
See also the List of desk forms and types.
Desk
A desk is a furniture form and a class of table often used in a work or office setting for reading or writing on or using a computer. Desks often have one or more drawers to store office supplies and papers. Unlike a regular table, usually only one side of a desk is suitable to sit on . Not all...
form named more or less in memory of Cardinal Mazarin, regent of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
from 1642 to 1661. It is the earliest predecessor of the pedestal desk
Pedestal desk
A pedestal desk is usually a large free-standing desk made of a simple rectangular working surface resting on two pedestals or small cabinets of stacked drawers of one or two sizes, with plinths around the bases. Often, there is also a central large drawer above the legs and knees of the user...
and differs from it by having only two tiers of drawers or three tiers of rather small drawers under the desktop surface, followed by eight legs supporting the whole. Also, the bureau Mazarin has cross braces between the legs, forming two Xs or two Hs on each side.
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
or those who followed its customs closely, could afford to have such desks made. Members of the nobility often wore a ceremonial or practical sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
, which was forever in the way. It was thus easier to use a desk sideways, with only one knee under it. The rest of the space next to the knee often served as a lockable storage space.
Most of them were built in an ornate style which looks like a nightmare to keep clean. As with the Kunstschrank of the lands of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
, the desk was sometimes more of a status symbol than a useful piece of furniture.
Note that the very rough images drawn up originally to illustrate this article show none of the extremely ornate decorations frequently applied to the front and sides of such a bureau. They were meant only to give an idea of the form.
See also the List of desk forms and types.