"Roll tops were a style statement in any fashionable home in the colonial era. They came in all sizes and made from variety of wood. Rosewood was among the favourite material among the carpenters of yore. Rose wood has the reputation of being amongst the most durable, tough and termite resistant materials. This holds true even today, when a piece of rose wood furniture made a good 90 years ago stands as solid and beautiful as when it was made. This rose-wood roll top is unique as it is made entirely of this beautiful, smooth wood. Even the smaller drawers, bureaus and compartments boasts of this uniqueness. Another feature of the desk is that one key locks all the drawers and the main table area. Very few roll tops are designed with such efficient precision. The obvious solidity of this roll top assures a life of a good many years. Sourced from a colonial home around the districts of Pondicherry, this roll top boasts of a good provenance. "