This secretary was made for the Cabinet Intérieur of Louis XVI at the Palais de Compiègne. The cabinetwork was executed under the supervision of Guillaume Beneman (master 1785). The gilt-bronze mounts were modeled by Louis-Simon Boizot (1743-1809), Martin, and Michaud; cast by Forestier; chased by Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), Bardier, and Tournay, among others; and gilded by Galle. Work on the secretary was coordinated by Jean Hauré, entrepreneur des Meubles de la Couronne (active 1774-96). The "eyes" of the marquetry were originally set with gilt-bronze rosettes.