This small rosewood reading table was part of an ensemble of small creations by cabinet-makers in vogue during the 18th century. They were, in fact, destined to complement bigger and more important pieces of furnitures. They easily found their place in a salon or or any other room in a house.
A small piece of furniture like this is, in reality, a well-made “masters” work, the completion of years of apprenticeship with a Master Cabinet-maker. Consequently, its size is a third smaller, in general to save on wood.
I did some slight restoration and gave it a sponge-applied varnish.