Beautiful late 19th Century French mahogany ladies secretarie with a rich hand painted facade by French painter Henri Martin. Henri Jean Guillaume Martin (French,1860-1943) was a French post-Impressionist painter, known for his paintings for the Salle de l'Assemblée Générale, Paris. He painted landscapes and portraits in a highly coloured sometimes pointillist style. The painted panel is bordered with ornate brass mounts. Featuring an elegant serpentine form, the desk stands on elegant cabriole legs with further brass mounts and remains in very good condition. The locking fall-front opens to reveal a fitted interior with small drawers and compartments. showing minor signs of wear commensurate with age and use. French marquetry-inlaid rosewood bureau dating to circa 1880, featuring an elegant serpentine form with cabriole legs and brass mounts. The fall-front opens to reveal a fitted interior with small drawers and compartments, the writing surface retains its original velvet. A pierced brass gallery runs along the top, adding refinement to the design. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no official proof of authenticity, however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising from misattribution