Pavlovsk Desk

The Pavlovsk Palace was built in 1777 for Russian Tsar Paul I, the only son of Catherine the Great and was in fact designed by Scottish architect Charles Cameron.  The palace was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War (‘the Great Patriotic War’!) but after the Liberation in 1944 a great deal of work and dedication went in to restoring it to its former glory.  It therefore epitomises the best of craftsmanship in Russia – having been constructed twice by those dedicated to the creation and preservation of beautiful things – and as such has been taken as a source of inspiration by LINLEY.

Constructed in walnut with inlays of crown cut walnut and ebony, the Pavlovsk Palace Desk has faux bone legs which reference the use of ivory in the original interior. Brass capitals and cockbeads are used in the frieze detailing, and the surface of the desk is covered in leather. The façade of the architectural interpretation of the palace bears marquetry detailing in dark grey sycamore representing the windows of the main building.  These are fronted by eight applied faux bone columns with Corinthian capitals. 

The building is surmounted by a hinged cupola which lifts to reveal a lined compartment.  This has a removable tray.   Elsewhere secret drawers are hidden within the body of the desk. In addition, the desk bears Wedgwood plaques which feature a Roman Triumph (the garland awarded to victorious generals when they arrived back in Rome). This detail is taken directly from the interior of the Pavlovsk Palace, from the State Vestibule, by Vincenzo Brenna (1789) and is of particular relevance as among the items evacuated from the palace on the Nazi invasion was a Wedgwood dinner service, which has since been recuperated.