Royal desk sale

Desk of 'Royal mistress' sells for millions

Desk sold at London auction.
Desk sold at London auction. Photo: Christies

A desk thought to have once been owned by the mistress of King Louis XV of France has sold for over £3 million at an auction in Christies in London.

A desk thought to have once been owned by the mistress of King Louis XV of France has sold for over £3 million at an auction at Christie's in London.

Djahanguir Riahi spent more than 50 years amassing a world class collection of 18th century furniture and works of art.

Desk sold at London auction.
Desk sold at London auction. Credit: Christies

The desk has a shaped rectangular rouge griotte marble top with moulded edge above a serpentine concave cornice. Its sides and the front have six panels of Japanese lacquer depicting landscapes.