More Than Useful: The Functional Luxury - (Page 3 of 5)

Functional objects turn into status symbols when they include expensive materials or are created by a famous designer, like Jean-François Leleu, probably responsible for the cylinder writing desk. While the desk was made to be used, it is technically brilliant, with superb marquetry (inlaid wood decoration) and golden decorated mounts which show how expensive it was.

Exclusivity is the key to the Japanned cabinet. Very little furniture survives from the workshop which produced it and the ivory background is even rarer.

Only a very wealthy family could have commissioned the Trapani letter-casket, a very special work made of precious and exotic materials.