Antique writing cabinet in exceptionally fine quality

Dimensions: H x W x D: 157 x 104 x 50 cm

Description:
Secretary standing on flat ball feet with two doors at the bottom, a writing flap flanked by ebonised full columns above and a head drawer at the top, directly below the slightly overhanging cornice.

When closed, the excellent choice of veneers becomes apparent. The mirror image of the wood not only presents the front of the furniture, but also the sides in perfect symmetry. The veneer patterns build up calmly from bottom to top and condense in the upper area to create an exciting and expressive overall picture.

When pulled out, the top drawer reveals a standing desk function. When the front is folded down, an interior with five drawers is revealed at first glance; however, the two outer drawers are each combined into one large drawer. A look at the photo of the pulled-out drawer reveals the extraordinarily precise jagged drawer corners. Not only these, but all the drawers of the entire piece of furniture are made of maple in the base wood. The drawer bottoms are grooved on all sides, a rarely found detail - bottoms are usually inserted from behind. The upper edges of the drawers are veneered with ebony - a detail that only becomes apparent at second glance, but is impressive evidence of the high standards of craftsmanship of the client and the master craftsman of the time.

The interior behind the secretary flap is particularly impressive.
At the very top, a pointed archway runs in front of the mirrored open letter compartments on the back. Below this are eleven cherry veneered drawers, arranged next to and below the central compartment. This is flanked by semi-columns and spanned by a round arch supported by pilasters, which is decorated with a plaster lion's head finial and suns in the corner spandrels.
On the floor of the compartment is an ink-painted horseman. Due to the three-sided mirroring, this depiction is repeated seemingly endlessly in the side walls and the back wall of the compartment. The same applies to the wood-panelled ceiling of this compartment, which is probably unique in this design.
The original, slightly tarnished mirrors are framed by quarter columns, which visually close to form full columns due to the mirror effect.
Six secret drawers are concealed behind each of the aforementioned flanking half-columns - a rare and well-chosen hiding place in this form.

Behind the doors in the lower section of the piece of furniture are four further spacious drawers, also of outstanding craftsmanship and with mitred dust shelves.

Personal opinion:
The quality of this piece of furniture is impressive in every respect. I have had many impressively crafted secretaries in my shop, but this piece simply leaves me speechless.

The construction of the cabinet is so precise that even the dust shelves in the writing compartment are cut to mitre. These mitre cuts are echoed on the ebony edges of the drawers as well as on the back wall of the piece of furniture. The term "attention to detail" has rarely been more apt than with this secretary.

Condition:
Restored and shellac polished condition. The drawers run cleanly and smoothly. The furniture is absolutely stable and suitable for everyday use.

Price: 8900,-€