An official website of the United States government. Here's how you know. 
Countdown to 
The Curator’s Collection presents, General John J. Pershing’s desk which embodies both craftsmanship and legacy. With its leather-trimmed surface, gilt-bronze clawed feet, and ornate detailing, including Egyptian-inspired motifs and classical laurels, the desk reflects the grandeur fitting the United States’ General of the Armies. Believed to have been crafted in 1920s Paris, it is part of a distinguished suite of furnishings associated with Pershing’s office at the American Embassy.
For years, the desk’s provenance remained a matter of intrigue. However, archival records and photographs from the LIFE Picture Collection, captured in 1939 by photographer John Phillips, provide compelling visual evidence linking the piece directly to Pershing’s workspace. Matching details, from the inkstand to accompanying furnishings, confirm its place within that historic setting.
Having endured wartime relocations and decades of service across Europe, the desk stands today as a tangible link to ABMC’s origins and mission. More than a piece of furniture, it is a witness to history, symbolizing the enduring commitment to honor the fallen and preserve their memory for generations to come.
Photographs include the Pershing desk and Pershing’s office in 1939 at Pershing Hall.
Major restoration interventions
Because of the desk’s size and weight, it could not be transported to a restoration workshop. Instead, conservator Lisa-Clémentine Guillou and a team of specialists worked on site from September to December 2025 to restore the desk.
Gilt-bronze ornaments
The gilt-bronze ornaments were removed, cleaned, and restored in a specialized metal studio. Their surfaces were degreased and treated to remove corrosion and old polishing residues, and protected with a clear varnish to recover their original warmth and detail.
The wooden structure
The wooden structure was cleaned, repaired, and reinforced. Missing mahogany elements were recreated, and deep gouges — especially around the central drawer — were filled and shaped to restore the desk’s form and ensure long-term stability.
The oxidized varnish coating the wood was fully removed, then replaced with a traditional hand-applied French polish that brought back depth and clarity to the surface.
The blue Moroccan leather top
The blue Moroccan leather top, heavily scratched and worn, was consolidated and retouched to reintegrate lost color. A protective wax finish was applied to safeguard the surface without altering its patina.
