Antique Biedermeier desk in cherry

Dimensions: H x W x D: 99 x 133 x 79 cm, writing height: 80 cm

Description:
Body standing on slender pointed legs with a clearly structured front. The base is formed by two doors with a row of drawers above. The upper end is formed by a writing top with a roller shutter.
The furniture is completely veneered in cherry wood. The pilaster strips are divided by fine ebony inlays. Dark edging on the door and drawer fronts emphasises the precise lines of the furniture design.

The roller shutter has a bar lock that locks into the sides of the piece of furniture. When closed, a lever at the bottom right also secures the writing tablet against being pulled out.
Made up of numerous narrow slats, the roller shutter can overcome a tight radius when opened and is thus recessed into the rear of the furniture.

When open, it reveals a clearly organised, tidy work area with a pull-out writing surface that creates additional legroom. The top has an infinitely adjustable centre section.
Behind it is what appears to be a row of four drawers and a free compartment in the centre. On closer inspection, however, the two outer drawers turn out to be panels - the hidden drawers behind them are revealed when the centre panel is folded back. The drawers can then be pulled out inwards.

The special highlight of this piece of furniture is a built-in shelf that runs across the entire width and is concealed in the upper rear section of the unit. It is therefore located in the space that at first glance appears to be merely a necessary cavity for the roller shutter.
The concealed compartment is raised with the aid of an ingenious crank mechanism with a worm drive. It consists of eight small drawers and three open compartments.

The back of the desk is also carefully and neatly finished. It could therefore have served as a representative piece of free-standing furniture in a larger office or bureau.

Worth knowing:
The overall appearance of this desk is typical of early 19th century Viennese furniture making. Mechanics such as this one are documented by Karl Schmidt and Gottlieb August Pohle, among others. Corresponding technical drawings, which are kept in the MAK Vienna, confirm this (see enclosed photos). The actual design with the elevating shelf shown here goes back to a masterpiece drawing by Georg Joseph Killian from 1810 (see also the enclosed photo from the reference book Genormte Fantasie - Zeichenunterricht für Tischler 1800-1840).

Both the worm drive in the crank mechanism and the louvre lock with hinged front later became characteristic of furniture designs by Karl Schmidt. Production in his workshop therefore seems obvious.
The fact that this desk is a model that was produced in small series - in slightly varying versions - also suggests that it was made in this highly specialised workshop.

Condition:
Excellent condition with a shellac hand polish. The mechanism and all moving parts work perfectly.

Price: 12800,-€

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