Many variations of the Holly can be found North America, Africa, China and Europe. Ilex Aquifolium, also known as European Holly, was used to craft the ornamental figures on the contours of the desk. This locally found wood was ideal for the level of intricacy the craftsmen wanted to achieve.  The material’s flexible structure enabled the craftsmen to effortlessly mold the shapes into place, without wasting their stock of expensive, foreign woods. The use of European Holly made it possible for Oeben to personalize this piece for Madame de Pompadour by way of the archetypal ornate flowers and the curving outline of the Rococo style, providing the zeitgeist fascination with Oriental allusions.