Jean Henri Riesener

Jean-Henri Riesener (1734 – 1806) was born in Gladbeck in Germany and became a master cabinet maker at the court of France. He was responsible for some of the most important examples of furniture in the Louis XVI style.

He used marquetry techniques to a great extent, in addition to bronze mountings, gilded bronze and chasings. In short, all of his creations would appear to be overloaded with excessive decorations, when seen through 21st century eyes.

His biggest claim to fame was in finishing the 9-year wonder cylinder desk called Bureau du Roi which had been started under his predecessor Jean-François Oeben.